A hugely popular and inspirational Bedford-based sports club is appealing for help to find their ‘forever home’ after a catalogue of misfortunes has seen them operating out of a marquee in Wyboston.
Spiral Freerun CIC (community interest company) had hoped to create a purpose-built facility in Ravensden after their rent at Trinity Arts and Leisure Centre was set to rise by £10,500.
A successful crowdfunding campaign raised over £30,000 in just three months and, with the support of Sport England, Spiral Freerun director Luke Brown thought their troubles were over as they secured a property in Wilden, Ravensden.
Read: Bedford parkour group aims to raise £10,000 for purpose-built facility
However, they faced yet another obstacle.
“Unfortunately we were let down in February 2023 by the landlord and estate agents when we discovered that we had been lied to about the property’s change of use which had expired two years prior to our application,” said Luke.
“With just two months left until we were supposed to move in, the deal collapsed and we were left with just two frantic months to find an alternative home.”
Luke and the team have never heard back from the estate agent.
Trinity Arts and Leisure Centre were unable to extend the group’s contract beyond April 2023, so Spiral Freerun is beginning its busiest holiday period operating from a temporary marquee at Wyboston Lakes.
The marquee is not weather-proof, has no storage facilities and does not have the capacity for upwards of 700 customers they expect during their peak times.
“Since we have been operating across two different sites (one for administration and one for physical delivery) it is making the day-to-day operations extremely challenging,” said Luke.
“Our main issue is our size. Because of how large our customer base is, how large our array of equipment is and the number of classes we run seven days a week, it is near on impossible to find somewhere within Bedford Borough which can meet these requirements.
“We think we have exhausted all of the schools, leisure centres, church and community halls within the entirety of Bedfordshire and unfortunately none are able to house us.
“It is for this reason that we require our own facility, unless there is another location available that we are not aware of.”
Can you help?
We’re calling on our Bedford Independent readers to spread the word and help the Spiral Freerun team find a new home that fits the following criteria:
- Minimum of 2,000 sq ft +
- Ideal length of 30m and width of 10m
- Minimum of four car parking spaces but ideally would like around eight – 10
- Property filed under the leisure usage, or landlord willing to conduct change of use
- Operating hours from 10am – 10pm Monday-Friday (quiet hours between 8pm – 10pm) and 9am – 5pm on weekends.
- RPA between £20,000-£45,000
Do you know of a facility that Spiral Freerun CIC could use? Or could you provide funding or materials to enable them to secure their current temporary venue?
“We are asking whether there is any way at all that Bedfordians can help ensure that Spiral Freerun CIC can continue to operate and change the lives of the individuals that come through our doors,” said Luke.
“Whether that be in the way of helping us locate a facility that we can move into (leisure centre etc), helping us locate our own forever home, providing donations of cash or materials to assist us with the upkeep of the maintenance that needs conducting to ensure the marquee is weatherproof or to sponsor our project in exchange for marketing, advertisement and partnership.
“All you need to do is take a look at the reviews we receive on our website, social media page and the comments that are left on the Crowdfunder to understand how essential it is that Spiral Freerun CIC find a suitable facility that we can call home.
“If we don’t find a new home by winter, the longevity of Spiral Freerun CIC and everything that we have worked hard to achieve alongside the organisations we are partnered with, will have been for nothing.”
You can contribute to the Spiral Freerun CIC crowdfunder here. If you have suitable premises or could offer help to find some, please contact jesse@spiralfreerun.com.
