Issue details

A Feasibility and Development Funding application (see Appendix A) was received seeking development funding to take forward the business case for a new Enterprise and Cultural Hub at the Coach House. The lead organisation for the project is Black South West Network.

The proposal involves undertaking a refurbishment of the Coach House, located in St Paul’s, Bristol, and transforming it into a Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups Enterprise, Social Enterprise, and Cultural Heritage Hub in the heart of that community in the West of England. The development of a high specification, flagship facility for these sectors in the context of the region’s Covid-19 recovery is highly significant as it will provide a focal point for delivering inclusive economic growth across the region, and will also provide an environment and a facility through which the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 and the lockdown on Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups and communities can be addressed.

Over the course of the next 18 months, Black South West Network have committed to undertake the following pieces of work to take this project forward:
1. Revise and reframe the existing Business Plan to better take into account the post Covid ‘building back better’ agenda and embed its regionality into all aspects of its business.
2. Undertake increased regional consultation with relevant stakeholders to ensure the plans are appropriately designed and embed widespread buy-in to the vision for the Coach House.
3. Undertake detailed planning and design processes for the final configuration of the refurbishment process.
4. Submit pre-planning applications and, if required, full planning applications to Bristol City Council.
5. Undertake fundraising to secure the capital investment required for the refurbishment process.

To assist taking forward this work, Black South West Network will establish an Advisory Group to help develop the Business Plan, with the anticipated involvement of representatives from the West of England Combined Authority, University of Bristol, University of the West of England, Bath Spa University, University of Bath, NatWest, the African and Asian Heritage Business and Innovation Network and existing funders.

The Business and Skills lead officers and Chief Executives of the West of England constituent councils were consulted on this proposal and were in agreement with the decision.