Community hub can stay open after being bought

A community hub has been saved after months of uncertainty.

Brimscombe Mill in Stroud has been bought by an anonymous investor, months after it was revealed the building had been sold, putting jobs at risk.

It means four local enterprises based there, including 'pay what you can' restaurant The Long Table, can stay.

“The incredible work to save Brimscombe Mill wouldn’t have been possible without this epic community,” said Jo Mansell, who works there.

Community projects Kids Stuff, Bike Drop and The Home Remedy are also based at Brimscombe Mill.

They were given six months to find a new home in March, which saw many of them open new sites at a new location in Cirencester.

The Mill said the 'miraculous outcome' is a result of goodwill from its previous landlord, supportive community and generosity of the investor.

"Your support, love, and active involvement makes all the difference," Ms Mansell continued.

"Thank you for massively showing up the way you have."

Tom Herbert, director at Brimscombe Mill and co-founder of The Long Table restaurant, said the relief they have felt is "huge."

"This uncertainty about our future has weighed heavy on us," said Mr Herbert.

Due to the uncertainty around their stay, the organisation has been holding off on certain projects.

"One thing we've never had is certainty and now we've got this place as good as forever," explained Mr Herbet.

"That means we can start to invest in the space, we can start to really make it our home."

To celebrate, the organisations are inviting members of the community to a party at the mill on 26 October.

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