Bicycle Workshop Refurbishment Appeal

We have an urgent need for funding support in respect of essential upgrade and conversion works to our premises. These works will allow us to rationalise our training programme, increase the throughput of trainees, build and repair more bicycles, and generally improve both our client service and our ability to self fund. This initiative is central to our sustainability and simply must be achieved.
 

The current bicycle workshop at 53 Chapel Street is small and cramped.

Thanks to Ben Cooper for the above image.

We have a larger unit at 77 Chapel Street (not quite next door) which has been used for storage.

Over the last year or so we have been fund-raising to upgrade the unit at number 77 to create a larger workshop, where we will be able to take on more clients and refurbish more bicycles. We also want to improve number 53, which will still be used for office space and will house the retail part of the project.

We have been working closely with a design team developing layouts and plans, and obtaining consents and quotes for the work.

The planning stage is almost complete, and we hope to be starting construction in January 2012, but we have not yet raised enough money to cover all the necessary improvements.

Our fund-raising target for the whole refurbishment is £80,000.
This will enable us to make number 77 habitable by installing heating, plumbing and lighting, and constructing work stations for bicycle repair, and a new mezzanine floor to create storage space. We also need new entrance screens to improve daylight levels in both buildings, floor coverings, redecorating, and external cleaning up and signage.

We have so far raised about £55,000, leaving a shortfall of about £25,000.

If we can achieve this additional sum, it would cover

• space heating  £5,000
• accessible toilets £6,000
• work stations for bicycle repair £2,000
• new entrance screens to improve daylight levels and work environment £10,000
• external improvements and signs £2,000

We are immensely appreciative of all of the organisations and people who have already supported us, but we urgently need more donations. Any amount, however small, will bring us closer to our target and will be gratefully received.

UPDATE:  As of January 2012 a further £20,000 has been promised, please help us raise the last £5000 either at our BT MyDonate fundraising page  or by some other route.

Work has started and we will put in regular updates.