Arts & Culture
Investors sought to support East Oxford community initiative

 

The founding members of a new community-owned enterprise are calling on Oxford residents to invest in a new enterprise hub.

The former Children’s Centre, in Florence Park, East Oxford, closed in 2017 due to Government funding cuts - but now the building is due to reopen as a community run enterprise hub following a campaign by local residents.

Located in Florence Park, Flo’s will house a new café, a nursery, a community drop-in space and meeting rooms.

Shares start from £250 (£100 for people living within the OX4 postcode) rising to a maximum of £25,000.

Shareholders will become members of the organisation with voting rights at Annual General Meetings and a projected return of investment of 2% per annum. The share offer will be open between 16 April and 18 June.

Helen Evans- local councilor said: This is such a great opportunity for people to be part of something very special. A community enterprise run by the community for the community. Behind this initiative are a great team of people, with the specialist skill set needed to make this venture a real success. I will definitely be signing up! 

Annie Davy, one of the project’s founding members, said: When the children’s centre was closed down it left many families without childcare provision and much-needed services. Flo’s will offer a welcoming and inclusive space for our community to come together and fill this gap

The Community Share offer will allow Flo’s to raise funds for initial refurbishment works, and also to provide working capital while the community enterprises come into full use.

 It also offers a potential return on investment and gives residents the chance to join us in this exciting community run initiative, says Scott Urban, a local parent and trustee of Flo’s.

Candy March, Chair of Trustees of Flo’s expressed her thanks for the Oxford wide support of the project “We’ve been very grateful for the support from local social enterprise, Aspire, to Flo’s in its incubation to reach this exciting period in our journey. It is a prime example of a truly community-run project which is going to make a real difference to filling a pressing need for local families.

See the full description of the community share offer at www.flosoxford.org.uk/community-share-offer.

 

  • Investors sought to support East Oxford community initiative