Written evidence submitted by Oxford House in Bethnal Green

1. What are the most significant challenges facing owners and operators of built heritage assets, and how are they affecting what those sites can offer?

That age old challenge of income generation and cost control. As a heritage site we generate 75% of income from office rental, venue hire and our cafe. The balance is grants to deliver community projects. This just about works however a major refurb 5 years ago required us to take a £700,000 loan over 15 years to complete the project. It made sense as it allowed us to keep on trading but servicing the loan is a big task and eats up free capital useful to either deliver projects or build up a bit of breathing space with our reserves - currently 2.5 months of operating costs. Quite a slim margin.

2. How effective are the current funding and finance models for built heritage?

Get rid of grants blended with loans. As mentioned above whilst they help you survive another day it does tie your hands and has reduced our resilience.

Also have development funding to prepare your case for support. Development funding from NLHF was invaluable however our initial assessment of costs was significantly under the actual cost as the series of pro bono surveys couldn’t tackle the nub of the issues and thus the full scope of works required.

3. What role does built heritage play in the regeneration of local areas and in contributing to economic growth and community identity?

We are a community hub located in a Grade II building, so we think it does a lot. We have been based in Bethnal Green since 1884 and in our current building since 1891. It is incumbent on us to take the long view and support initiatives like this where we can use our convening power to bring people together.

We have always had a local outlook with a strong community development mix to our work. More recently this includes Love Bethnal Green - a neighbourhood resource (online directory and news coverage and networking breakfasts for local biz, residents and voluntary sector).  Its strong on identity and it’s a proud neighbourhood that doesn’t always get to celebrate this. 

There is an obvious crossover between the social and the economic. We have noticed at least 5-6 vacant retail units along Bethnal Green Road- a street that was characterised by 100% occupancy and very independent local businesses. It's clearly becoming an issue.

Energy efficiency needs 100% grant support. We have a local council grant to replace 50% of non-LED lights to LED. We could do it quicker if there were the funds! It would reduce our energy bills too.

4. What are the financial, regulatory, and practical barriers to preserving built heritage?

A good, supportive local planning officer helped us enormously. That took time and glad we had built this over a few years as we explored options to refurb and save our building.

5. What policies would ensure the UK workforce has the right skills to maintain our heritage assets?

I'm sure this must be linked to a joined-up approach and funding for skills development. Specialist skills for our building were painting restoration and timberwork repair and conservation to our former chapel. We had limited choice of contractor however did not lead to any delays to our project.

John Ryan I Chief Executive Oxford House in Bethnal Green I Oxford House I Derbyshire Street I London E2 6HG