Sponsored by
‘Fab 40’ buy shares in bid to save Wakefield landmark
FUNDING MILESTONE: The co-operative plan to turn Unity Hall into a community arts venue.
A multi-million pound bid to restore a Wakefield landmark has passed two important milestones,
Around 40 investors have bought shares in newly formed co-operative Unity House (Wakefield) Limited.
The co-operative plan to transform the city’s historic Unity Hall in to a community arts venue.
The facility would include a 650-seater venue for music concerts and theatre productions.
Also planned is an 80-seater function room; 12,000 square feet of office space; 3,500 sq ft of meeting space and a café on Westgate with reception, exhibition space and independent shops.
The community share issue has been launched in a bid to raise £200,000 for initial surveys and work.
And the group has also announced that a bid for European funding has progressed to the next stage.
The Unity Hall group is working with regeneration organisation Shine to secure £4m in total to fund the project.
Chris Hill is Shine’s development director and founding director of the cooperative behind the plans.
He said: “We have now got 40 investors signed up. We have been told our bid for European funding is eligible, which is a huge relief for us. This means that the project is going ahead.”
Mr Hill added: “Co-operation is all about working together to make things happen for the benefit of its members and society.
“And it is our aim to develop a creative space that the community can call their own and be proud of.
“We are particularly excited that, during this International Year of Co-operatives, it is a community co-operative that is reinvigorating this former HQ of the Wakefield Industrial Co-operative Society. “By restoring Unity Hall to its former glory we can develop a vital new hub for the city.”
Individuals and organisations can buy up to £20,000 in shares, with a minimum of 200 shares for £200.
Tours of the building are also being held for potential investors.
For more information call Mr Hill on 0113 388 0000, or log on to: www.unity hallwakefield.co.uk
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leeds
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.