The Black South West Network (BSWN) has signed a lease with Bristol City Council for the Coach House in St Pauls, which it plans to turn into a modern enterprise hub to support black and Asian-owned businesses.
The organisation, previously based in co-working space Rebrick House in Stokes Croft, works alongside black-led businesses to unlock their potential and provide them with a stronger voice to address systemic racial inequality.
The BSWN said it would look to raise £3m as part of its “ambitious” plans to upgrade its new office and meeting rooms space, which it will continue to run for its existing tenants.
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The BSWN said the building would become the “focal point” for its work on economic development and cultural inclusion, and would be a space “alive” with the cultural heritage of Bristol’s African and Asian communities.
The group will continue to deliver key projects and initiatives from the Coach House, such as the first black-led social enterprise incubator in the city funded by the Local Access Partnership Programme.
Sado Jirde, director of BSWN, said: “We are delighted to have secured The Coach House, as a very special asset for the community. We are developing exciting plans to refurbish the building and transform it into a unique and dynamic social innovation hub.
“These are the first steps away from the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and into a future of economic justice and cultural inclusion for the African and Asian heritage communities."
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Marti Burgess, chair of BSWN, added that securing the lease at the Coach House was an "important step" for the organisation and would allow it to support African and Asian heritage communities develop businesses which would positively impact the region’s economy.
Ms Burgess added: “I am also overjoyed that we managed to find a space in St Pauls which has played such a significant role in the journey of many of the diaspora communities.”
Bristol’s deputy mayor, councillor Asher Craig, said events over the last year had brought into "sharp focus" the structural inequalities that run through society.
She said: “BSWN have undertaken numerous consultations with our black and Asian communities over the years and recurring themes remain: our businesses need support, we need to tackle under-representation in our economy and must face up to the legacy of poor investment in black and Asian communities.
“I have seen the proposed plans from BSWN and I am excited to see the transformation of the Coach House into a modern business enterprise hub and cultural space for Bristol’s existing and future entrepreneurs and creatives.”