News / St Pauls
Black South West Network secures £520k investment for Coach House refurbishment
A Black-led racial justice organisation has been awarded £520,000 in funding towards the refurbishment of a building in St Paul’s.
Black South West Network (BSWN) hope to transform the Coach House into a regional centre for Black enterprise and culture.
The funding award from the Department of Levelling Up, Homes & Communities will secure the building on Upper York Street as an asset for the community as well as converting it into a centre of innovation, social enterprise and cultural expression.
Black South West Network have ambitious plans for the future of the Coach House on Upper York Street in St Paul’s – photo: Martin Booth
BSWN’s stated aim is to support “the development of dynamic, independent and strong Black and minoritised communities, businesses and organisations”.
BSWN director, Sado Jirde, said: “We are thrilled with this funding award. It will enable us to save the Coach House from closure and transform it into a vital space serving the communities in which it is located.
“It will become a symbol of what is possible despite the innumerable barriers faced by Black and racially minoritised communities across the region.”
Sado Jirde says that the transformed Coach House “will become a symbol of what is possible despite the innumerable barriers faced by Black and racially minoritised communities” – photo: BSWN
BSWN board chair, Marti Burgess, added: “The Coach House is an important asset for the St Paul’s community.
“This funding will enable us to start on the refurbishment of the building and ensure that it is accessible to more people who can benefit from our programmes and initiatives – which are bringing out much-needed change – helping our community generate wealth and shifting the dial towards racial equality and justice.
“This is an exciting time for us and I applaud the team for securing this funding.”
BSWN chair Marti Burgess says that BSWN’s programmes and initiatives are “helping our community generate wealth and shifting the dial towards racial equality and justice” – photo: Naomi Williams
Main image: Askew Cavanna
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