Community share scheme to help restore old school

A £90,000 community share scheme is being used to help restore a Grade II listed building in Bradford city centre.

The 19th Century building, originally a Quaker school, housed the Bradford Resource Centre support service until 2021 and was bought last year by the People's Property Portfolio (PPP).

PPP, a community benefit society, is fundraising to bring the site at 17–21 Chapel Street, in the Little Germany conservation area, back into use as a multi-purpose event space for creative organisations.

"We're currently fundraising for the full capital works, but there are costs that immediately kick in as soon as we start owning a building," said Harry Jelley, a PPP board director.

"This funding will help us with some of the early capital work and operation of the building at this vital stage."

A community benefit society is a type of legal organisation that is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and a not-for-profit business.

Jelley said: "By investing in a community share you become a member of the society, which means you can have a say in our vision and how we operate.

"You can invest between £50 and £9,000 - no matter the size of the investment, you have one vote."

He continued: "Community shares are withdrawable. It's a really important way to support us as an organisation right now when we need the support."

PPP said it was working with Saltaire-based architectural practice 3XA to conserve the building's heritage features during modernization work.

The building dates back back to 1832, with Bradford Resource Centre taking it over in 1979.

Jelley added: "When 17-21 Chapel Street reopens it will be a creative engine for Bradford - a place where community and cultural organisations can work from, where culture can thrive, and where we can harness the legacy of UK City of Culture."

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