 Ibstock Community
Enterprises (ICE) has a simple mission: “to make Ibstock a better
place”. Ibstock is a former coalmining community, and in 1995 its
high street bank closed down. This was a blow to the community,
because its already struggling economy depended on people having
access to cash.
A group was formed,
which eventually became ICE, and it bought the former bank. An ATM
was installed, and the premises became a one-stop shop focusing on
learning and advice. This one-stop shop still thrives as a
small-scale community centre, and ICE has continued its work in
community-based regeneration.
A recent major
project was the purchase of the old National School building at 57
High Street. ICE always realised it would need some kind of income
generating strategy, and an asset-based approach seemed appropriate.
“Having derelict
buildings on the high street has an impact on the town,” says
Rachel Elliott, community projects manager at ICE. “We wanted to
bring it back into productive use, and that would also bring income
back into the organisation.”
ICE saw that the
building, known as Project 57, would work as a set of business units,
so in 1999 it bought the premises using a combination of its own
resources and a mortgage from the bank. In 2004, a £100,000 ACF
grant helped to fund the building’s refurbishment and development.
The building opened that same year and now provides eight units for
small businesses, a large purpose-built training suite and a meeting
place suitable for local residents, groups and businesses.
Each unit is let
under a Tenancy at Will agreement, which allows maximum flexibility
for new, or start-up businesses, with rents from £60 to £200
a week, depending on the size of the unit.
ICE now has a
significant asset which brings income into the organisation and
provides support for other small and growing businesses.
“The building is
no longer an eyesore,” says Rachel. “It has helped to stop
further decline in the high street, and provided space for eight
local business to grow and thrive. It provides computer training,
business services, even a guitar workshop. And it doesn’t require
any subsidy to keep it going.”
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