A newly formed Brougham Hall Community Interest Company (CIC) headed by artisans based at the hall has taken ownership of the historic venue.
Brougham Hall Charitable Trust confirmed Brougham Hall CIC has bought the venue, near Penrith, although the charitable trust will continue to remain in place. The new owners say they will be launching a fundraiser to help safeguard the hall’s future.
Katy Terry, trustee of Brougham Hall Charitable Trust, told the Herald: “The new Brougham Hall CIC is made up of four existing tenants at Brougham and two new directors, they have bought the title of the Brougham Hall property. At the end of January we will pass on our web domain to assist with continuity.
“We continue to operate Brougham Hall Charitable Trust and we will hold a page on the Brougham Hall CIC website.
“The main reason is that the cost of running Brougham Hall and the property management requirements versus the income and fundraising available make it impossible to fulfill the potential that exists at Brougham to bring a better offering to the public.
“We believe that the change in ownership will mean the property is run by local people supported by an existing community built by the trust over the last 40 years which will serve the public better in the long run. The Brougham Hall Trust wishes The Brougham Hall CIC all success in their endeavours. We look forward to following the future of Brougham Hall.”
Brougham Hall CIC has been set up by Mary Chappelhow, Susan Clough, Isabella Lepri Simpson, Ellen Pogson, Sara Last and Chris Philips.
Mary Chappelhow, who runs Interlude Ceramics at the hall, said: “I established my pottery here 13 years ago. Being able to buy the hall with five friends is a dream come true. As a Community Interest Company, everything we do means the hall is kept firmly as a local asset and we hope to increase the number of studios and workshops to support new and growing creative enterprise. We hope local people will get behind us.”
The CIC say they raised funds to buy Brougham Hall through personal investment and grants. However, they need to raise more to make their plans a reality, and will be launching a Crowdfunder in January.
Another of the new owners, Isabella Lepri Simpson, whose ceramics business is also based at the hall, added: “The aim is to benefit the community and keep supporting artists and artisans and craftspeople, and to preserve this wonderful historic place.”
