New lease to help secure future of historic Fairfield House
The building was the former home of Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia
A new lease has been granted for a historic building in Bath, once owned by the former Emperor of Ethiopia.
Farifield House was donated to the community by Emperor Haile Selassie, who is regarded as the messiah by followers of Rastafarianism.
Fairfield House Bath CIC has been awarded a two-year lease by Bath & North East Somerset Council, which will enable the historic site to continue being used as a lively community hub, day care centre for the elderly and heritage attraction for visitors worldwide.
The lease means the CIC can continue to deliver its business plan on a sound legal basis and also work to secure further grants.
The intention is then to apply for community asset transfer or a new longer lease in two years’ time.
From 1936 to 1941 the villa was the residence of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, who gifted the property to Bath Corporation (a forerunner of Bath & North East Somerset Council) in 1959 as a home for the aged in gratitude for the warm welcome he received from the citizens of Bath.
Since the 1990s it's been used as a day centre by a number of groups including the charity Bath Ethnic Minority Senior Citizens' Association (BEMSCA).
Fairfield House is also a community hub and place of pilgrimage for the local people of Bath, for Rastafari, Ethiopians, and the worldwide African diaspora.
Fairfield House Bath CIC was established to preserve and celebrate Emperor Haile Selassie's unique legacy: a personal gift to the city in appreciation of the warm welcome and hospitality he had received from the people of Bath when he was in exile, campaigning and preparing to fight to get his country back.
As part of a new short-term lease agreement the council will also carry out repairs to the properties to preserve the integrity of the buildings.
Councillor Tom Davies, cabinet member for Adult Services and Council House Building, said: “I want to see Fairfield House flourish and thrive into the future, with even more links with our diverse local communities. The new lease will pave the way for the CIC to work with local communities, funders and others on long-term plans for this historic site.”
Professor Shawn Sobers, said: “We can finally put HIM’s legacy and the vibrant life of Fairfield House on a firm legal footing. We now look forward to working closely with Bath and North East Somerset Council to secure the long-term future of HIM’s legacy.”