The building in Barton Hill is owned by the local community centre Wellspring Settlement and is preparing for the building to go on sale to help with their financial difficulties
Banksy’s oldest surviving artwork may be up for grabs for art aficionados, as the building it adorns in Bristol is set to hit the market. Wellspring Settlement, the owner of the property and a vital community centre, has been under continued financial strain and is gearing up to sell the site. that once served as the ‘Dug Out’ youth club – a haunt of the mysterious artist during his formative years.
Wellspring Settlement plays a crucial role in the Barton Hill neighbourhood, running a raft of services including baby and toddler play sessions, a food club, financial advisory support, and social events for adults; moreover, they facilitate youth initiatives and provide space for various local charities and groups.
The community centre even nurtured a young Banksy, before they went onto become the world’s most famous anonymous artist, so any new purchaser will also be bringing its role providing a space for the youth of Bristol to an end, as well as buying a slice of art history. Currently, the large building on Barton Hill offers a home to the local amateur boxing club, which will have to glove up for a relocation once the property changes hands.
In a heartfelt statement released to the Barton Hill locals, Wellspring laid bare their predicament.
As reported by Bristol Live, they said: “As a charity, we face significant financial challenges that require us to make difficult decisions, including about the building that has been home to the local boxing club for the past decade. Despite the club’s valuable contributions to the community, the costs of maintaining the building far exceed the rent paid by the club.
“As such, maintaining the building in its current form is no longer financially viable for us. We have been exploring other possible solutions to this with the boxing club for some months but have not yet been able to reach an alternative solution.
“To address the financial risks, trustees have agreed to market the building for sale to explore whether a buyer can be found. We have an opportunity to put our finances on a more secure footing if we can raise money from the sale. This represents a crucial step towards securing the future sustainability of our work for the long term.
“We want to reassure the community that we remain committed to supporting the boxing club throughout this process. We are working closely with the club’s coaches to identify suitable alternative premises that will allow them to continue their important work in providing opportunities for local young people.
“We understand the community has a strong attachment to this building, and we are committed to being transparent as we move forward. While this transition may be challenging, we are optimistic about securing a future for both the charity and the boxing club, where we can both continue to deliver positive community outcomes. For further information, please contact info@wsb.org.uk.”
