Monkey Park purchases its premises following Natwest funding
A Chesterfield-based multi-award winning social enterprise that promotes the personal and social well-being of the community has bought the Brampton building that it is based in since receiving a £142,000 grant from the Power to Change Foundation, a subsidised mortgage from Natwest.
Monkey Park – a café, bike repair shop and shared working environment – was established on Chester Street in 2015. Led by a group of local volunteers who are committed to community inclusion, Monkey Park provides a safe haven and an environment which encourages the development of the community.
Since 2015, the once derelict former tile warehouse has been transformed into a vibrant community hub creating four jobs within the local community.
With experienced legal support from the commercial services department of regional law firm Banner Jones which advised on the purchase of its building, Monkey Park can now ensure that it will be used for the good of the community for many years to come.
Recently awarded the ‘Organisation of the Year Award’ at the Voluntary Sector Awards for North Derbyshire, Monkey Park has won a bid to provide free ‘Equipped to Succeed’ courses for local people with limited opportunity.
Christine Redding, trustee of Monkey Park, has commented: “I am delighted that we have been able to purchase the premises of Monkey Park, which will allow the organisation to become much more sustainable. Now that the purchase is complete, we will be able to respond more efficiently to the needs of the community.
“The purchase of the property would not have been possible without the indispensable legal advice of Ian Osborn at Banner Jones who ensured we made the right long-term decisions to secure the future success of the organisation.”
Ian Osborn, commercial property specialist at Banner Jones, has commented: “Over the last two years, Monkey Park has provided many people in the local community with the opportunity for development. The purchase of its premises is a great achievement and I look forward to continuing to follow Monkey Park’s journey.”
