Neston Civic Hall Update - can you help?
- rachael6372
- Aug 6
- 3 min read
It's been a while since we've given an update on the current situation and future plans for Neston Civic Hall. Rest assured we have been busy behind the scenes exploring all options to ensure the future of this much loved community asset!
The last 6 months...
NCYC is still working closely with Cheshire West and Chester Council to secure the future of the Civic.
NCYC received a grant from CWAC to carry out some emergency roof repairs to hopefully keep the building dry for 6 months whilst discussions were held about a community asset transfer. Before this grant, NCYC the Charity was subsidising the costs associated with the running of the Civic. To be clear, our business plan clearly shows that the revenue raised from hiring the building and hosting our own events would cover the day to day running costs. However, the constant disruption due to having to repeatedly close the hall because of leaks was having a huge impact on income and expenditure (each time we had a leak we had to cancel bookings causing reductions in income and incurred more expenditure as we would then have to pay for the roof to be repaired).
The emergency roof repairs have been completed and so we can (to some degree) be reassured that the building will stay dry. It is worth mentioning that we have had a small leak since the repairs were carried out caused by broken tiles. This strengthens our resolve that the Civic needs a roof replacement rather than repair as it is likely that this will continue to happen due to the fragility of the tiles.
Whilst the conditions of a community asset transfer are being discussed, NCYC are looking for potential capital funders. We were unfortunately unsuccessful with an application to the Heritage Revival Fund (they received nearly 180 applications and had the funding available for approximately 10 projects so there is, as expected, a large amount of competition for capital funding pots).
The majority of capital funders also require a percentage of 'match funding'. Match funding is funding we have raised ourselves to reduce the ask from the capital funder. For example, a funder may state they will fund 80% of the costs and therefore we need to demonstrate we have secured 20% of the costs from other sources. This is why we are continuing with the Love Neston: Raise the Roof fundraising campaign.
NCYC and CWAC have agreed a grant amount to be used as match funding for capital funding bids.
Future plans...
The conditions of the community asset have been agreed. Providing NCYC can secure capital funding for the phase 1 works which include a roof replacement, the community asset transfer lease will be effective from 2027.
NCYC are continuing to run the Love Neston: Raise the Roof fundraising campaign.
NCYC are continuing to promote the use of Neston Civic Hall and hosting our own events to increase income and will continue to do so until 2027, unless we encounter issues (such as more roof leaks) that cannot be covered by income and put the safety of its users at risk.
If we cannot secure capital funding then the future of the hall will be at risk. An asset transfer would involve NCYC signing a 35 year lease leaving us responsible for all costs associated with the running of the hall. As I am sure you can appreciate, NCYC can only commit to this with the reassurance that we have secured funding to fund, at minimum, a roof replacement which would secure the long term sustainability of the hall.
NCYC have identified another capital funder and will be submitting an application but need your help...
Therefore we are putting out a call for action! If you, or someone you know, has any experience with heritage, conservation, architecture, local history, bid writing, fundraising please get in touch.
0151 336 7805
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