The Build
The Forge Studios business plan was formed in 2007 by the Allendale Creative Artists lead by its chair Amanda Galbraith. The aim was to ensure the group, who had worked together for just over a year, continued to be sustainable into 2030.
The first step was to change the cooperative to a community interest company, Ltd by Guarantee and to put in place an asset lock. Amanda Galbraith activated the business plan and became the fundraiser, pulling together supporters and those agencies that wished to know more about the groups plans and who would support the development. In total Amanda raised one million pounds. The development started 07.01.10 ending 01.03.11 three months over its planed 12 months however it came in dead-on budget.
Directors: WORKING TEAM – Thelma Russell treasurer . Jean Haste treasurer . Amanda Galbraith development coordinator (2006)
HELP IN THE GIFT SHOP – Justine Lester . Silvana Michelini . Susi Goncu (2009)
NEW PROPOSED DIRECTORS – Pat Ashton Smith . David Hogarth (2011)
2008/2011
Social Enterprise Northumberland - Anne Lawson
Social Enterprise is a proactive Council agency that will offer advice about legal matters when a group wishe to change its status from Ltd company, cooperative or Social Enterprise.
2008/2009
Adventure Capital – we secured £15,000 funding and 5 days business advice from Adventure Capital. Phil Angier worked with Amanda Galbraith for that time and became a good friend of the project. Funding paid for architects, land surveys, Bat Surveys, land testing and planning permission.
Feb’ 2009 and on going
Charity Bank – The group were offered a loan by Charity Bank and that loan would enable the group to cash-flow the build and ultimately £250k would be the groups contribution to the build. The loan runs over 25 years and is the projects biggest risk!! John Probert worked with the CIC in this action.
March 2008/2010
One North East – Mark Adamson and Jackie Erving
Funding was secured from One North East to buy the property and land found to be most suitable by the group. Amanda Galbraith worked with Mark Adamson over 2008 while Mark shadowed the project. Once planning permission was secured and the group’s loan was put in place, funding was realised by ONE. Jackie Erving joined Mark and Amanda in 2009.
The ONE grant also set up the professional building team who went on to work together over the next two years.
Architect – Kevin Doonan
Engineers, BT Bell
R. Burn Partners, QS – Bill Fraser
Fundraiser and Project Coordinator, Amanda Galbraith
2009/2010
LEADER – Sue Ellwood /AONB Peter Samson
Funding secured from the North Pennines Partnerships enabled the group to employ a Project Coordinator to oversee the build and control budget for one year (2010/2011).
2009/2010
RDPE – David Baird
Funding was secured to contribute to the majority of the build itself and the studios fit out.
SUPPORTERS
Northumberland County Council – Tamara Gilbert is part of the Regeneration team at Northumberland County Cuncil and was able to support the project by attending meetings on site throughout 2009/2011. Tamara could then feedback progress reports from the group throughout the build.
NBSL – Sylvia Granger and the group began a business partnership that was a pilot in Northumberland ‘time for time’ and support was given over the time the group applied for RDPE funding.
Williamson Solicitors – Hexham (the property and land sale. Graham Craig continues to represent the group in legal matters)
Armstrong Watson – Tim Fife VAT Director. Tim was able to offer the group VAT advice throughout the planning stage and continues to support the project.
David Gray Solicitors – Newcastle (tenants contracts)
Sharon Langridge Solicitors – Newcastle (employment contracts)
Allendale Community
Allendale Business Community
Allendale Parish Council
Whitfield Charity Clay Shoot
Hexham Lions
Dickinson Dee
Click here to see a brief visual history of the stages of the building project.