Derelict magistrates courts on the cusp of becoming new creative enterprise hub
Creative Youth Network has secured £4.25m of funding from the National Lottery Heritage, which will cover more than two thirds of the costs to transform the old courts.
The £6.5m project will see space transformed into the Courts, a place where young people from diverse background will be able to access the creative industries.
The Courts will host enterprise workshops, mentoring, incubator space and paid internships, as well as space for creative enterprises.
The development is expected to produce an annual “gross value added” of £4.85m for the South West and will host around more than 100 jobs once fully open.
“We are delighted to have secured this inward investment for Bristol and the West of England and are grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for investing in the future of our city and young people,” says Sandy Hore-Ruthven, CEO of Creative Youth Network.
“This project will bring a historic building back to life by giving young people from disadvantaged backgrounds the chance to break into an industry that is notoriously un-diverse.”
“The project is led by young people and brings together what we all love about Bristol: it’s creative, it’s community-led, and it’s reinventing a building that was for so long a symbol of Victorian era punishment into one that will help Bristol and its young people reach their potential.”
The space will be a place to develop skills for creative careers and will encourage growth in a welcoming community space. The space will be in addition to the organisation’s facilities at the Station.
“This is great news, and a golden opportunity to bring forward new investment into Bristol and the wider region which will directly support our economy and our young people,” says James Durie, chief executive of the Chambers of Commerce and Initiative at Business West.
“Revitalising this iconic building with such an innovative approach will be a final piece in the puzzle of bringing this part of the landmark Bridewell Island site back into use.
“By providing new spaces for creative businesses and enabling some of our diverse and talented young people to work in the creative industries, at a time of time of huge challenge for our city and region through the Covid-19 crisis impacting us all, this is hugely welcome news and a major boost for our young people and the wider economy.”
The old magistrates courts was built in 1879 by Josiah Thomas.
Designed, built and later extended to operate as a criminal court, the original Victorian cells are still in place, as well as four court rooms with ornate ceilings.
However, the building has been empty and deteriorating since the 1960s, when court processes moved to other buildings within the city.
“We build supportive relationships with young people from all backgrounds across the South West to help them reach their own potential and live fulfilling lives,” say the team at Creative Youth Network.
“Bringing this landmark back into positive use will be a huge benefit to the city and wider region.”
I’m a diversity consultant and a design and communications consultant. I help people and organisations develop vision, communicate and deliver cultural change.