Bourne Arts Community Trust appeals for support as Covid-19 hits Wake House restoration

Bourne Arts and Community Trust is appealing for support as it looks to continue essential restoration work at Wake House in Bourne.

The Trust’s cash reserves have taken a big hit due to the combination of a major restoration project at its 19th-century base and the Covid-19 loss of income.

They have only been able to hire out the building for brief periods in between lockdowns and tier restrictions since last March.

A Government grant helped the Trust break even for this financial year, but cash reserves, built up over 20 years, are down to £35,000, with annual operating costs running at £10,000.

And if restrictions linger on into the autumn., the Trust’s future could be thrown into doubt.

BACT trustee Greg Cejer said: “That will cover us to operate for another year, but if things don’t improve by the end of the summer, we can’t stand another year’s loss.

“That would be three years of losses and that would really put us in jeopardy, particularly if something else went wrong with the building

“Until we can rent it out again we have no income, but still have operating costs like heating, electricity and water standing charges.”

Work on the £90,000 project to restore much of the Old Worth House part of the building was completed early last year, with the Trust ploughing in £60,000 from its reserves.

They had already spent £40,000 on restoration and renovation in the previous three years, and now need donations and grants before much-needed work on the Old Windmill Pub section of the building can continue.

The Trust hires out space within the 20-room building to more than 70 organisations each month, offering a range of services including arts and crafts, education, and counselling, while the Citizens Advice Bureau was also based there up to March.

As well as financial support, the Trust is also actively seeking new trustees, particularly those who can bring financial and marketing skills.

“We are looking for more people to use the building when things improve and also looking for people that might want to get involved with the Trust,” Greg added.

The Trust is inviting any potential supporters, current users and the community to join them at their annual meeting which will be held remotely on Monday from 7.30pm via Zoom.

To receive a link, email wakehousenew@gmail.com or call (01778) 393517 and leave an e-mail address to send the invitation link.