Turbo Island, a cultural landmark for Bristol, has recently been put up for auction.
There have been attempts over the years to bring Turbo Island back into community ownership. The People's Republic of Stokes Croft have been in discussion with the current owners, and at one time they were willing to sell at the market value. In 2015, this was estimated at £300k.
This crowdfunder is intended to begin raising funds for the purchasing of Turbo Island with the goal of transforming it into a community-owned space. This could include projects such as creating a garden and replacing the billboard with an art wall.
This fundraiser will run until the date of the auction: 16th October 2024
Follow on Instagram for project updates/ upcoming events! ➡️➡️➡️ @save.turbo.island ⬅️⬅️⬅️
Any funds raised here will be pooled with other fundraisers (pending contact and agreement):
https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-turbo-island-from-gentrification
https://seditionist.uk/distro/uncategorized/turbo-island/
https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-turbo-island-for-the-community
⌚️ The History ⌚️
Turbo Island exists in the footprint of a shoe factory that was destroyed during a WW2 bombing raid on Bristol in 1940. Since then it has been used as an advertising location, and in 1990 was sold to a private company.
💥 The Vision 💥
Taking Turbo Island under community ownership would mean the space could be used by the community for the community. This could potentially mean a new space in the center of Bristol for hosting events, art spaces, and a new green area.
If the space was owned by the Stokes Croft Land Trust, its usage would be democratically decided and run in a similar way to the space they already own, 17-25 Jamaica Street (People's Republic of Stokes Croft HQ).
Link to their successful fundraiser
As a community, we can create a space to be proud of!
💔 What happens if the bid is unsuccessful? 💔
While we will hopefully succeed in our mission, if our bid fails there will still be opportunity to save Turbo Island. Any money raised during this fundraiser will go to a local homelessness charity (to be decided, suggestions welcome), and we will instead focus our efforts on pressuring the council to refuse any future permits to construct private accomodation on the site.
❓️ What's Next? ❓️
We'll be contacting the estate agents running the auction to get more information on the context of the sale, and whether a private sale outside of the auction would be possible. With this information, we can better plan strategy for fundraising targets.
We'll be organising events to raise awareness and donations over the coming weeks. If you'd like to get involved, please send a message on Insta!
Who's running this?
Right now, just me! My name is Oscar, I'm a local activist and have been involved with Bristol Housing Coop groups and I'm an organiser with the local StopRosebank campaign. My personal insta: @oscar.bailey
I'll be working closely with other funderaisers and the SCLT/PRSC - if you'd like to get involved, send me a message!
Image Credit: Simon Holliday @simonholliday
pledged of £300,000 goal (GBP)
This is an open ended project. There is no time limit and payments are taken straight away.
1 person wants this
By donating £300, your name will be etched onto a plaque that will be installed on Turbo Island to forever commemorate your donation
NOTE: This is subject to agreement by the land trust!
£300 minimum.
