Summary
When Broad Street Windows purchased the space next to their business to have increased driveway access, they made an unusual decision about how to use the extra space.  After interest from various community groups, they decided to turn the space into a community centre. The result has been the creation of a much needed community space and an increased local profile for BSW.

Background
Broad Street Windows (BSW) is a, family business operating from a shop / factory unit within the Foleshill district of Coventry. Foleshill experiences high unemployment, residents are primarily from Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi ethnic groups.

Broad Street Windows recieved an Awards for Excellence 2004 Big Tick.

How they do it

• Creation of a community centre.  In 1999 BSW purchased the Old Salvation Hall, which was situated next door to their business premises as the shared drive was essential for access. They then had to decide what to do with the building.
  It was apparent there was a real need for a meeting place that was not tied to any one religious or ethnic group which would provide a low cost facility for meetings and entertainment.
  
  The condition of the hall was found to be completely inhabitable requiring a lot of repair work also needing a complete electrical rewire. Volunteers from the company and the hall's users all worked together on the project each bringing their individual skills and expertise.
  
  For speed and efficiency specialists such as electricians and plumbers had to be contracted in as and when they were needed, funded by BSW, work was completed within the three months time span. The building made habitable again in a very basic form with furniture being donated from local companies.
  
  The hall is used for English classes, health awareness, lunch clubs, youth groups, SureStart and bingo. BSW next objective is to make the hall self-supporting in its every day running costs. This will involve appointing a committee from the hall users to manage the venture, which will in the long term allow application from the lottery funding to build a purpose built building.

• Donation of community library space. Following a fire that destroyed the interior of the Foleshill Library, BSW stepped in and offered to convert a lean-to on their business site into a habitable library room. Contractors and staff worked 12 hours a day for three intense weeks on the refurbishment. Two more weeks were needed by BSW to install heating and lighting and at the same time Coventry City Council library services added carpets, fittings, seating and books and the facility now houses the local library.

Business Benefits

• Positive profile in the community.  The purchase and restoration of the old Salvation Army Hall adding to the company's already positive profile in the Coventry area.  The company again proved itself a community leader following the library fire by stepping in to offer a temporary space for the library.
  
• Staff enthusiasm.  Staff involvement in the project injected a moral booster within the company.
  
• Events venue.  The company hosts corporate events from the hall - which demonstrate first-hand their commitment to the locality.