zion bristol ltd
Bristol
Zion is a Community Hub in Bedminster Down, where everyone is welcome. We
provide a warm safe space for community groups to run, our cafe is open 9-5pm
every weekday and we put on an array of affordable events. Although originally a
church, Zion was bought in 2011 by Jess Wright, who lovingly crafted Zion into
an essential and well loved hub in Bedminster Down. In the Summer of 2022,
members of the community, local businesses and grant organisations came together
to purchase Zion as a community share offer! Meet The Team Emma Centre Manager
Sadie Cafe Manager Bianca Kitchen Manager Natalie Bar Manager Stuart Cafe
Assistant Manager Dan Community Outreach Rosa Programme Coordinator Meet The
Directors Martin Sereena Hannah Aimee Claire The History of Zion Back in 2011,
Bristol resident Jess Wright purchased an empty Methodist chapel with a loan
from Triodos Bank. Once a focus for the local community of Bedminster Down, this
historic chapel had been left derelict after the congregation could no longer
afford to sustain it. Jess wanted to breathe life back into this beautiful
building, a real landmark in BS13. She also wanted to create a much-needed
community centre in a residential area with few social or cultural venues. She
wanted a place where people of all ages and backgrounds (especially those who
were isolated or excluded) could meet to improve wellbeing on a personal and
community level. Using a small start-up budget of £5,000 (her own money), Jess
began renovating the building. Thanks to the support of a small team of
volunteers, Zion opened its doors to the community once again; this time as a
small-scale café serving coffee and cakes, and offering a few extras such as
film nights and kids’ creative sessions. Over the past 11 years, Zion Community
Art Space has become ever more popular. It attracts 15,000 people a year and is
now open at least five days a week, offering: a daytime community café that
serves freshly made food at an affordable price a broad programme of over 200
events and activities a year, ranging from quiz nights and children’s workshops,
to live music, theatre, talks and food events regular daytime drop-in groups
such as a Memories Café, Creative Writing Group, Local History Group and
Breast-Feeding Support an indoor and outdoor private hire venue for weddings,
parties and other celebrations
