All RDAs across England are closing by March 2012
(see transition and closure section).
With our resources reducing steadily, this page has not been recently updated and the information below may not be current.
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South West RDA agrees way forward with Red Brick Building
Group
08 September 2009
An independent study is to be carried out to assess the
feasibility of bringing the red brick building on the Morlands site
in Glastonbury back into use.
The decision follows a meeting between representatives of the
South West RDA, which owns the former tannery site, and the group,
which has been set up to bring the derelict building back into
commercial and community use.
Esther Croft, development manager at the South West RDA, said:
"We were impressed with the group's commitment and enthusiasm.
"We had a productive discussion about how they can take their
ideas forward and were interested to hear their thoughts on their
vision for the building. We have asked the group to submit a
business plan by December which must contain details of how the
refurbishment will be funded.
"There are a number of significant financial and practical
hurdles which would still need to be overcome before making any
decision about the future of the red brick building."
The Red Brick Building Group was founded last year by a group of
young people who want to see the building restored for community
use. The group's members are aged between 16 and 67, offering a mix
of expertise including community development, finance, information
technology, business and art.
The group's aim is to turn the building into a community and
business centre which showcases sustainable renovation and provides
local people with training opportunities in building and
engineering appraisal.
The first task would be to make the building safe, watertight
and presentable.
The group is working in partnership with Ecos Trust - a charity
which promotes sustainable design and build techniques - and Wessex
Reinvestment Trust, an ethical organisation that will help raise
the finance for the refurbishment. Engineer Nick Maclean is
advising on the renovation.
The group is in talks with prospective tenants, both education
and voluntary organisations, and small businesses and individuals
interested in taking workspace.
Contact the secretary at secretary@redbrickbuilding.org.uk for
more information.
Ends
For media enquiries, contact:
Sue Amiel
Email: samiel@spiritpublicrelations.co.uk
Tel: 0117 944 1415
Website: www.spiritpublicrelations.co.uk
Notes to editors:
1. The South West RDA leads the development of a sustainable
economy, investing to unlock the region's business potential. It is
helping companies respond to the economic crisis and charts a
course for recovery. The RDA is developing or expanding initiatives
which include: establishing a Business Loan Fund; coordinating the
response to large companies in difficulty; preparing for economic
recovery.