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BISHOP STREET METHODIST CHURCH

Redevelopment Scheme

We learnt during spring 2009 that our application to Heritage Lottery Fund was turned down. We have therefore had to re-think and massively scale down our plans for the building. However, we are now able to pursue some modest improvements to our building. We shall be implementing the first few steps towards this in Autumn 2009, and the next phase in Spring 2010. In summary these are:

1. Removal of a number of pews from the sides of the Church, to create flexible spaces for exhibitions and other events.
2. Provide an ambulent disabled toilet.
3. Ramp to new entrance doors at the front of the building.
4. Removal of the central part of the stud and plasterboard wall in the Foyer, to open out to the main church.
5. Construct a new coffee bar and improve cafe facilities, floor covering and ambience.
6. Refurbish outside toilet block.
7. New side access door, and improve surfaces in the inner courtyuard area.
8. Redecoration to make good areas of work, and repainting other areas of the Church.

CO-OP GRANT: we are pleased to record that we have been granted £3,000 from the Midlands Co-operative Society Community Dividend scheme, towards the refurbishment of our community rooms. We have now installed a new heater in the Barratt Room, new polysafe vinyl flooring, and repainting of the walls. This is in advance of our main effort to transform the chapel area.

BASEMENT FEASIBILITY STUDY LAUNCH: On Thursday April 10th 2008, in our Foyer, a lively team of young people presented the findings of their feasibility study into possible uses of our basement for a youth meeting and activity space. Leicester South MP, Sir Peter Soulsby, was there, as were various City Council and Youth Work representatives. All were greatly impressed by the enthusiasm of the young people, and the overwhelming support their study showed, for a place in the city centre for teenagers to meet people from different faiths and communities and enjoy activities together. Copies of the full report will hopefully be online soon. The study has been financed by a grant from the Faiths Community Capacity Building Fund. The youngsters are now eager to continue working on the project to help turn it into a reality.

THE CHAPEL: We held a major launch of our scheme, on Monday 29th October 2007, in conjunction with an exhibition of a range of activities and organisations working in the City centre. More details here.

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Stage 2 Architects plans. Detailed Architects plans are now being drawn up, for the major works to improve access, flexibility and suitability of the Chapel for its extra uses - to incorporate Heritage and other exhibitions, Art, performance and other events, a café and a wider range of community based activities. This is all in preparation for an application for funding from Hertiage Lottery Fund.

The Conservation Management Plan was completed in summer 2007 and implications have been worked through with the Architect.

Community Rooms: We now have a heating design for putting radiators in the community rooms plus church office and vestry. We will hope to find grant funding for this work plus energy conservation. The  Midlands Co-op have given us a grant towards general improvements to these rooms to sort out flooring a redecoration once the heating is in place.

Our heritage project is now underway. We will be making a record of people’s memories of Bishop Street over the years. We need volunteers to do interviews, or you could write down some of your own recollections of Church activities in former times.

Measured survey: A vital pre-requisite for developing firm plans was to have an accurate survey of the existing building, with all its nooks and crannies. This was completed during summer 2007

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