{"id":39784,"date":"2024-07-09T14:53:52","date_gmt":"2024-07-09T13:53:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/?p=39784"},"modified":"2024-09-05T11:10:16","modified_gmt":"2024-09-05T10:10:16","slug":"crucial-community-space-in-church-up-for-sale-in-south-bristol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/2024\/07\/09\/crucial-community-space-in-church-up-for-sale-in-south-bristol\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Crucial\u2019 community space in church up for sale in South Bristol \u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video height=\"720\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1280 \/ 720;\" width=\"1280\" controls poster=\"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/URCsale.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/MMJ1_final.mp4\"><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">West Street in Bedminster could lose its only community space, with the United Reformed Church (URC) being put up for sale for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.perrybishop.co.uk\/property\/bedminster-united-reformed-church-stanley-street-south-west-street-bristol-somerset-bs3-LAN230066\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.perrybishop.co.uk\/property\/bedminster-united-reformed-church-stanley-street-south-west-street-bristol-somerset-bs3-LAN230066\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u00a3500,000<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The building hosts several community groups, including the <a href=\"https:\/\/bs3community.org.uk\/volunteering-and-community-development\/food-on-our-doorstep-bedminster\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/bs3community.org.uk\/volunteering-and-community-development\/food-on-our-doorstep-bedminster\/\">Bedminster Food<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/bs3community.org.uk\/volunteering-and-community-development\/food-on-our-doorstep-bedminster\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/bs3community.org.uk\/volunteering-and-community-development\/food-on-our-doorstep-bedminster\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/bs3community.org.uk\/volunteering-and-community-development\/food-on-our-doorstep-bedminster\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/bs3community.org.uk\/volunteering-and-community-development\/food-on-our-doorstep-bedminster\/\">Club<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BS3RepairCafe\/?locale=en_GB\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BS3RepairCafe\/?locale=en_GB\">BS3 Repair<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BS3RepairCafe\/?locale=en_GB\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BS3RepairCafe\/?locale=en_GB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BS3RepairCafe\/?locale=en_GB\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BS3RepairCafe\/?locale=en_GB\">Cafe<\/a>, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/southbristoltoylibrary\/?locale=en_GB\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/southbristoltoylibrary\/?locale=en_GB\">South Bristol Toy <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/southbristoltoylibrary\/?locale=en_GB\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/southbristoltoylibrary\/?locale=en_GB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Library<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The groups have been given until April to find a new home.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ellie Freeman, a member of <a href=\"https:\/\/actiongreaterbedminster.org.uk\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/actiongreaterbedminster.org.uk\/\">Action <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/actiongreaterbedminster.org.uk\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/actiongreaterbedminster.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Greater<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/actiongreaterbedminster.org.uk\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/actiongreaterbedminster.org.uk\/\"> Bedminster<\/a>, said the sale of the church will be \u201ca really big loss to local residents in the community.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">West Street is mainly a residential area, although there are some pubs and takeaways.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stef Brammar, the secretary of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/WOWBS3\/?locale=en_GB\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/WOWBS3\/?locale=en_GB\">Way out West (<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/WOWBS3\/?locale=en_GB\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/WOWBS3\/?locale=en_GB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">WOW<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/WOWBS3\/?locale=en_GB\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/WOWBS3\/?locale=en_GB\">)<\/a>, West Street\u2019s neighbourhood group, is concerned that there will be nowhere for locals to meet once the URC is sold.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWOWBS3%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02ARzgqrNFTxQNQkG6Pfa7ovHEc8RxdNnQP17r4hxsgDSRG77Ys8GEis3BK4fuc3b9l&#038;show_text=true&#038;width=500\" width=\"500\" height=\"636\" style=\"border:none;overflow:hidden\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThere isn\u2019t another community space in the area,\u201d she explained.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cA lot of the people that come in here for the Repair Cafe, they\u2019re not just people who come in with repairs. Elderly people come in and have a cup of tea and a cake. They&#8217;re not going to walk far to go anywhere else.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brammar said that there are \u201cqueues around the corner\u201d for&nbsp;the monthly Repair Cafe sessions and that the Toy Library is \u201cvery popular.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBS3RepairCafe%2Fposts%2Fpfbid09dFh36bmiGSwr28aWY8dQi7iSsLKTVyTBP7KuH5SA8VHf4cPoyCX5rhME7b1RXQNl&#038;show_text=true&#038;width=500\" width=\"500\" height=\"710\" style=\"border:none;overflow:hidden\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The location of the URC on West Street makes it an easily accessible space for Bedminster residents.&nbsp;It is on several bus routes and is close to Parson Street station.&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mark Bradshaw, Labour and Cooperative Councillor for Bedminster, explained the importance of community groups and spaces: \u201cOver the last ten years or so, all local authorities have been under great financial pressure and resource pressure. So, community groups have taken on more [work].\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He highlighted the importance of Bedminster Food Club: \u201cA lot of families are under great pressure at the moment to have good quality affordable food \u2013 the foodbank provides that.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tessa Fitzjohn, Green Councillor for Bedminster, added: \u201cThis is a very important community space used by the Repair Caf\u00e9, Food Bank and Toy Library amongst others.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/URCview.jpg\" alt=\"A brick building with blue doors. This is the URC on West Street, Bedminster, Bristol. \" class=\"wp-image-39884\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/URCview.jpg 700w, https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/URCview-300x171.jpg 300w, https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/URCview-640x366.jpg 640w, https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/URCview-681x389.jpg 681w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Locals are worried the land will be redeveloped into housing: Hannah Stewart<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Locals fear the space will be redeveloped into housing.&nbsp; The size and location of the building makes it desirable for developers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Councillor Bradshaw said that it is \u201creally important that it&#8217;s not just flattened and turned into flats or homes without any community space.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Freeman added: \u201cI think the residents here just feel like more of their amenities and infrastructure are going and being replaced by more and more housing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd although there is a massive need for housing, there is also a balance [needed] for spaces that serve the community in other ways as well.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RepairCafe1-copy.jpg\" alt=\"A group of people sitting around a table. They are repairng items.\" class=\"wp-image-39809\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RepairCafe1-copy.jpg 700w, https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RepairCafe1-copy-300x171.jpg 300w, https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RepairCafe1-copy-640x366.jpg 640w, https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RepairCafe1-copy-681x389.jpg 681w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Organisations like the BS3 Repair Cafe have until April to find a new home: BS3 Repair Cafe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brammar hopes that developers interested in the building will keep some of the space for community use.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI&#8217;ve already met with a few people who are interested in this building. One or two of them have mentioned the fact that they would build housing on it but actually retain a community space. That would be great, but it does need to be quite a large community space.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>West Street in Bedminster could lose its only community space, with the United Reformed Church (URC) being put up for sale for \u00a3500,000.&nbsp; The building hosts several community groups, including the Bedminster Food Club, the BS3 Repair Cafe, and the South Bristol Toy Library.&nbsp; The groups have been given until April to find a new [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":288,"featured_media":39789,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1657],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39784","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-assignments"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39784","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/288"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39784"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39784\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40283,"href":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39784\/revisions\/40283"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39789"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39784"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39784"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39784"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}