Over 50 people turned up to a walk in session at No. 6 Somerleyton Road last night to get on with what the short-term, or ‘meanwhile’, use of this space could be. The former meals-on-wheels kitchen is set for demolition as part of the long-term regeneration plans for the area, but we estimate we have about 18 months before this happens.

Ideas put forward last night include an outdoor space for the brilliant Block Workout, kitchen space for local caterers and food entrepreneurs, a ‘hack space’ for comedians, space for drama, art and music, a place for exchange of goods, skills or services, workshops, local history evenings, a good traditional community space for local groups and loads, loads more…

While we may not be able to accommodate all these activities, Brixton Green has asked Meanwhile Space, a social enterprise with expertise in this type of work, to draw up a business plan for the space based on the ideas received last night. If we can develop a sustainable business model for the space that covers things like management costs and utilities, the next steps will be for local volunteers and tradesmen to help fit the space out for its future use.

Watch this space…