Boundary Court Strategic Business Report

Boundary Court Introduction

The proposals contained within this report focus on converting an unused ground floor of a former Doctor's Surgery into a thriving community hub. The community hub would be run for and by the local community providing a focal point whilst the estate undergoes extensive redevelopment over a 20-year period.

Following consultation across the local area, the key priorities have focused on the following four areas:

  • Health & Wellbeing

  • Socio-Economic Challenges

  • Education, Skills and Training

  • Social Interaction

What are others doing?…

  • Nourish Hub

    The Nourish Hub have a set meal price and a pay-what-you-feel pricing strategy. Working in partnership with surplus food outlets and keeping the meal options limited (Vegetarian) and cooked mainly by volunteers enables them to charge a fair price and support those unable to pay the minimum price.

  • Made in Hackney

    Are another excellent example of a community-focused, local charity working within a local community asset & the food sector. They have an annual turnover of over £560k, with donations and legacies making up the bulk of their funding and trading around £46k per year.

A Quick SWOT Analysis

Strengths

  • Community Focused

  • Community Food Hub

  • New use for an empty building

  • Health & Well-being focused

  • Sense of local pride and purpose

  • Investment in the local area

  • Volunteering opportunities

  • Job creation

  • Circular/local economic support

Weaknesses

  • Lack of joined-up approach across the Council

  • Grant funding reliant

  • Ongoing redevelopment impacts

  • Noise, pollution and lack of access to the site

  • Not enough community buy-in

  • Volunteer burnout (if too few)

  • Political will not supportive

  • Neighbour support needed

Opportunities

  • Job creation

  • A focal point for regeneration

  • Sense of community (pride)

  • Creative 'can do' culture emerges

  • Volunteering

  • Healthier community

  • Council leading the way

  • Creates new focal point for the community

  • Revamps Boundary Court

  • New High Street entrance – reduces anti-social behaviour

Threats

  • Unable to source funding – too many similar projects in the area

  • Onsite vandalism – anti-social behaviour

  • The community fails to engage

  • Projects get stuck at Phase 1

  • Limited opening times due to a lack of volunteers

  • No community buy in long-term, community fails to use the venue

  • Other community food hubs/cafes open on High Street

  • Lak of volunteers = burn out for others

Download the Report…

Acknowledgements

Web editing & design by

Donna Preece-Jones

Donna Preece Creative | www.thedpa.uk | donna@thedpa.uk