£500,000 Ashton Court Mansion community share offer launches on Fundsurfer with £100,000 reached

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release — 4th November 2026

Invest from as little as £100 to help secure the future of one of Bristol’s most iconic buildings

Fundsurfer with Ashton Court Mansion Trust has launched a £500,000 community share offer to help secure Ashton Court Mansions future. Residents, businesses, community groups and organisations across Bristol, North Somerset have the opportunity to support and save one of Bristol's most loved, and recognisable venues. 

Launched just over a week ago on Fundsurfer the campaign has already hit an impressive  £100,000 raised from 450 investors so far. The offer gives people the opportunity to invest from £100 and become members of Ashton Court Mansion Trust, the charitable Community Benefit Society established to restore, regenerate and operate the Grade I listed building for public benefit.

Every member receives an equal democratic say through one member, one vote, regardless of the amount invested.

Commenting on this, Fundsurfer CEO, Oliver Mochizuki said:

"The £500,000 will provide the start-up and working capital needed to build a sustainable organisation, expand public access and community activity, grow commercial income and pursue major heritage funding.

"The raise is a crucial step towards the Trust taking on a proposed 125-year lease from Bristol City Council. A Council decision is expected in November, with both approval and a successful fundraise needed before the lease can proceed. The Council would retain the freehold of the Mansion and the wider Ashton Court Estate. We urge anyone and everyone with an interest in Ashton Court to back this community share offer."

Around three quarters of the Mansion is currently derelict, with much of the building closed to the public for decades. It is included on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register.

The Trust proposes restoring the building in phases, bringing rooms and wings back into use as funding becomes available. Its business plan estimates that full regeneration could require £12 million+ over the coming years.

The community share offer will establish the financial foundation for that work. It is separate from the major restoration programme, for which the Trust expects to seek substantial institutional funding.

Since taking responsibility under a temporary tenancy in May 2026, the Trust has already hosted filming, exhibitions, art classes, orchestral rehearsals, weddings and private events. Public tours have begun, and several thousand people visited during the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.

Fundsurfer is calling on its network of investors, businesses and community supporters to read the offer, consider investing and share the campaign.

The community share offer is live now: Read the offer document and invest from £100 at:

https://www.fundsurfer.com/ashtoncourtmansion

ENDS

Notes to editors

About Fundsurfer
Fundsurfer is a Bristol-based funding platform connecting businesses, community organisations and projects with capital. It supports community share offers, crowdfunding and access to private investment and debt finance.

About Ashton Court Mansion
Ashton Court Mansion is a Grade I listed historic building within Ashton Court Estate, close to Bristol. Around three quarters of the Mansion is currently derelict. Bristol City Council owns the freehold of the Mansion and the wider estate.

About Ashton Court Mansion Trust
Ashton Court Mansion Trust is a charitable Community Benefit Society established to preserve, restore and operate the Mansion for public benefit. It is seeking a proposed 125-year lease from Bristol City Council. Members have one vote each, regardless of the number of shares held.

Media enquiries
Caroline Macdonald
Marketing Director, Fundsurfer
Email: caroline@oggadoon.co.uk
Telephone: 07970 233490 

Campaign information
https://www.fundsurfer.com/ashtoncourtmansion