THE PROJECT comprises of 2 elements them being the creation of a new 2 storey community facility and the development of the sublevel/basement within our existing resource centre - Toxteth Town Hall.

This is an extract from the Business Plan which focuses on the dual aspect of the Facility Expansion Project with a goal of achieving a greater sustainability level.

a)    Letitia Street: The project comprises of the acquisition and development of 14 Letitia Street and surrounding land part thereof for the creation of a thriving community resource. The need for the development of the site was as a result of an initial suggestion which lead to an initial feasibility study 2002, being undertaken incorporating a wide consultation & mapping exercise of identified needs. Of all 161 questionnaires completed, 100% were supportive for the charity to develop the site for community use. In 2005/6 the charity undertook additional investigative works to establish current demand against the proposed scheme. A mapping exercise July 06, was also undertaken which was updated in 2008.

The physical aspect of the project is firstly, the demolition of the existing subsiding single storey structure. The site was acquired in Oct 2007 from LCC for best value £14K, with a number of conditions. This phase was successfully achieved in Dec 2007 funded by the Tudor Trust.

Secondly, the construction of a 2-storey building to contain numerous changeable offices varied in size with associated shared facilities i.e. reception, rest room, toilets & car parking facilities. The building will conform to regulations associated with disability, enabling access to all.

The charity has secured all planning permissions to create the full scheme but has also devised 2 other phased options. This has been in direct response to the current funding climate; competitive projects within the area (in relation to funders not target audience/intended facilities) and following constructive feedback from potential funders.

The offices will be let on the following basis:

•    50% for Social Enterprises/Not For Profit Organisations
•    25% for Registered Charities
•    25% for Public Sector Agencies/Projects of local benefit


Furthermore the project includes the creation of 2 fully equipped multipurpose meeting/training rooms, which are able to merge to form one large room via its design. This purpose built facility will be available to all centre-based organisations and a wide range of external user groups whether training providers, residents groups, voluntary, public and private sector agencies etc. Activities will include training, meetings, roadshows, consultation events, seminars, exhibitions etc. Finally, there will be a Hot Desking area to accommodate up to 3 workstations.

b)    Sub-level Development: In total there plan to be (6) new offices created in the basement, one of which will be the Managing Directors office as to accommodate the accessible kitchen on the grd floor, the existing office will be used for this. The additional 5 offices will be available for other Third Sector Organisations.  Necessary Planning permissions and LBC are currently being applied for.

The third sector organisations that would be able to register for the new offices, would receive the following support as part of the package: without additional cost to the licence fee:

•    General reception services
•    Porterage
•    Caretaker/Maintenance
•    Use and access to the newly refurbished and relocated accessible kitchen/staff room.  

All would also be able to access common facilities such as Photocopying, franking, hire of the community hall facility for training etc, fees according to their use/quantity.

The above enables the groups to concentrate on the delivery of their services without the distraction, responsibility and individual cost associated with them having their own premises. We have found that this have been particularly beneficial to the emerging third sector organisations. They have more time to focus on service delivery than operational matters associated with a facility/premises.

In relation to the existing third sector organisations operational in the centre currently (9) and the user groups (63) access the community hall, (we usually resister approx 12 new groups P/A) they will benefit in the following ways:

•    Larger, improved, accessible kitchen/staff room. This will encourage more staff/volunteers to make use of the facility and actually take a break rather than often eat within their offices.
•    Improved toilet facilities

The existing Caretaker/Maintenance Workers office on the grd floor will be relocated as to make room for the platform lift to the sublevel. The existing stairwells to the basement will be enhanced.