COMMUNITY groups in Leicester are being invited to take over the running of some neighbourhood buildings.
Five buildings are being made available for groups to lease as part of the council’s community asset transfer policy, which has already seen other buildings successfully transferred to local organisations for them to run. Successful organisations are typically not-for-profit community interest companies, social enterprises or charities with a strong understanding of the local area.
Braunstone Frith Recreation Centre, Coleman Neighbourhood Centre, Eyres Monsell Community Centre, Gilmorton Community Rooms and the Tudor Centre are all being offered up for community asset transfer (CAT) under an open bidding process.
To make a successful bid, organisations must present a detailed business plan that sets out proposals for how the buildings will be used to benefit local people. Groups have to show how they will ensure the buildings are well-used by all sections of the community, with rooms available to hire and a good balance of activities available.
Assistant city mayor Cllr Vi Dempster said: “Local facilities are often best run by the people who use them. Over the years, a number of centres have already successfully transferred to community groups through our Transforming Neighbourhood Services programme.
"We know that some groups have already expressed an interest in running these buildings, and we are now inviting bids. Ensuring that these buildings are well used into the future strengthens communities and contributes to the social and economic wellbeing of the area.”
Jo Randall is director of Team Hub CIC, which took over the running of New Parks community centre in 2017. Since then, they have developed the Team Tots Nursery, expanded support for families, children and young people; provided mental health and wellbeing support, delivered holiday activities and community projects; and, most recently, created a new community garden.
Jo said: “For us, taking on New Parks community centre has been an incredible opportunity. The support and trust we received from the council has been hugely important. It has allowed us to put the community at the heart of the building and give local people a real voice in what happens here.
“Community asset transfer is much more than handing over a building. It is about giving local organisations the chance to turn community spaces into places where people connect, access support, improve their wellbeing, develop opportunities and feel that they belong. Our experience has shown us what can be achieved when a local authority and a community organisation work together with the same goal - making a real difference to local people.”
Angie Wright is from b-inspired, the neighbourhood charity that took over the running of the Grove community hub in Braunstone from 2019. Since then, they have attracted funding to renovate the property and installed facilities including a dance studio, meeting and function rooms and new basketball court. They deliver sports, dance and fitness activities, football sessions, parties, after-school clubs and holiday activity schemes. The site also includes a recently-opened community café.
Angie said: The Grove community hub is a real benefit to the Braunstone community and enables us to provide a range of services based around sport and physical activity to the young people of Braunstone.”
Organisations which are interested in running any of the five centres can get free, independent support on how to develop a business plan, including site visits and support for writing their bids. The city council will continue to run each site until the CAT process is complete, which typically takes 12-18 months.
The bidding process opens on 5th October, and the closing date is 10th January 2027. For details, visit the webpage at http://www.leicester.gov.uk/community-asset-transfers
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