THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset
12th October 2022
Issue 751
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Shock closure of community centre The Batch Community Centre in Cadbury Heath has
for activities, functions and events.
closed after the management committee handed back the
It is understood that the closure has been blamed
keys to South Gloucestershire Council.
on the cost-of-living crisis and operational
The centre in Coronation Park includes the local youth club
difficulties.
run by Creative Youth Network (CYN).
One of the front doors has been boarded up after
Writing on The Batch’s Facebook page last week, someone
what is understood to have been a vandalism
who had a party booked for her daughter last weekend said that
attack.
when she had gone along to finalise plans, she had been
The council has confirmed to The Week In that
shocked to find it had closed as she had received no
it has taken back management of The Batch as
communication.
the organisation previously managing the
She said that South Gloucestershire Council had confirmed to
facilities (BICSA) had ended their tenure. A
her that the centre had closed and that it was unable to refund
council spokesperson said: “We are currently
BICSA need to be resolved with them as they go through the
the £120 she had paid.
going through a process to identify a new management
formal process of ending their operation. No monies paid for
The building, which opened in 2015, is owned by the council
organisation and as part of that we are meeting with Oldland
party bookings, for example, comes to the council and we have
and was run by Banjo Island Community and Sports
Parish Council.
reiterated to BICSA that they need to settle any outstanding
Association (BICSA). It includes a café, bar, large hall and
“We have also been approached by other parties interested in
issues with hirers promptly.”
several rooms and was built to be the hub of the community
taking on the facilities and who have presented a business case
CYN have been delivering youth work in Cadbury Heath since
to take it forward. We will discuss options with any suitable
2019, when South Gloucestershire Council commissioned
local group who can demonstrate how they would manage the
them to take over the delivery of youth work at The Batch.
building for the benefit of the local community.
Hannah Panes, head of South Gloucestershire Youth Services
“While the building remains closed, the council is undertaking
at CYN, said: “We are saddened that The Batch Community
some repair work and security improvements. We are
Centre is unfortunately having to close; however, we
committed to ensuring that The Batch reopens and is run
understand the challenges of managing a building in the current
locally for the benefit of the local community as soon as
climate with the cost of living crisis only increasing this. We
possible. As soon as we have secured a new managing tenant,
are working closely with colleagues in South Gloucestershire
we look forward to being able to announce this and hand over
Council to find a resolution and are committed to ensuring
day-to-day management to them.
young people have access to trusted youth workers at their
“Any bookings made for use of The Batch by individuals with
essential safe space at The Batch Youth Centre.
The Batch is closed
“CYN are still here to support the young people of Cadbury Heath, through detached sessions, engaging with young people in the community and offering some one-to-one support.”
Also in this week’s issue
New Lyde Green facilities approved despite parking concerns . . . page 3
Retirement homes proposed for old school site in Staple Hill . . . page 4
Green light recommended for Taylor Wimpey homes on Keynsham fields . . . page 5
Spotlight on Keynsham Eco Festival . . . page 11