What Happened So Far
Following the Council’s decision to transfer the running of several community centres across Birmingham, a consortium of individuals, voluntary groups, businesses, and local councillors put forward a proposal to take on Kings Heath Community Centre.
This initial consortium included Enjoy Kings Heath, Birmingham Artisan Markets, Kings Heath Neighbourhood (Ward) Forum, and Leftfoot Venues. They were chosen as the preferred provider and, since then, it has grown to include Kings Heath Playcare Scheme, Queens Heath Pride, Green Oak Academy, Stage2 Youth Theatre, Kings Heath Masjid, Our Scene CIC, Place Prospectors, United Artists of South Birmingham, Blue Moon Markets, Cook and Grow Together CIC, Birmingham South Woodcraft, and others. There are also several, individual small business owners and members of the community involved.
Together, these various interested and committed community groups and individuals will combine to become the founding members of an organisation to be known as Kings Heath Community Centre Community Benefit Society (KHCCCBS). This community benefit society will build upon its business proposition to create something special, which adds value to the neighbourhood of Kings Heath, and is a centre of and for the community.
What Happens Next
At the moment, we are working on creating an organisation and structure to take on Kings Heath Community Centre in the near future, and make it thrive.
While protecting any existing users of the centre, we aim to develop the site to increase its commercial viability. The Community Centre currently has a main hall, café/bar, function rooms, and offices. In addition, there is an external car park and gardens.
Ideas so far include offering studio space for emerging creative industries practitioners, flexible office and meeting space for local businesses, opening up the café as a Youth Café, and using the kitchen to both train and educate, as well as providing a form of “pay-what-you-can” service to those who need it.
Have you got any ideas for what we can do with the Community Centre? Join the conversation here
