Community raises £230,000 to save “well loved” community hub
The Zion community centre in Bristol has become entirely community owned after crowdfunding campaign
Zion Community Hub in Bedminster Down is now fully owned by the community following a crowdfunding scheme to save the building from sale.
345 people invested more than £230,000 in shares after being given the opportunity to buy the building.
Following the 14-week crowdfunding campaign, the rest of the funds were supported by the Government’s Community Ownership Fund, and as of the 12th of May, the centre is now entirely owned by the community.
The centre manager, Emma Moore says that “It’s a relief that that’s all done with but now the hard work begins” adding that “it’s very exciting but also slightly terrifying.”
She celebrates the community, saying that it is “a testament to people in Bedminster Down and Bishopsworth about how everyone came together to save a building.
"It’s worth shouting from the rooftops really, it’s a brilliant thing."
Zion started in 2011 when a member of the community renovated the building into a hub that now offers a café, hundreds of events and venue hire.
It is a space enjoyed by many members of the community and was also an important organisation during the Covid pandemic.
You can find out more about the fundraiser (which has now closed) here.