It’s not easy where we live!
Following last year's break-in, when most of our best tools were stolen, we upgraded our security with heavy-duty padlocks, two slide locks, a security
light, and a CCTV camera.
While we did manage to raise £2,080 via GoFundMe, due to the generosity of members and the people of Looe, we are still located in a fairly isolated
area and from a work perspective, current arrangements are still barely sustainable.
Plans are underway to add a full CCTV and alarm systems, but we are avoiding buying any new tools
until our security is fully resolved, which means that work on Community Projects is much more difficult.
Community Projects
As of today, we have delivered ten community projects, with two more underway and five waiting to be
started.
Until recently, hampered by inclement weather and the missing tools, we estimated it would take
another three years to complete our existing list.
Consequently, we were turning away most new requests for our services until we could find a new home
and get things moving, but the temporary addition of a very large garage at the Barbican means we can
crack on with these projects. At least for the next 12 months.
Core Issues
Our own permanent shed would be a game changer, allowing us to use larger power tools which at the moment will not fit into our new Barbican Shed.
Our Need for Permanent Premises:
To fully serve our community, we need permanent premises to:
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Extend our operating hours
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Attract more members
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Reach our full community potential
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Increase our efforts to reduce social isolation in the community
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Support more community initiatives
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Build essential items for schools, clubs, churches, and individuals in need
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Provide storage for materials and equipment
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Set up a Young Shedders section to teach practical skills to the youth of Looe
With a fully equipped Shed, we can achieve most of the above and it might also pave the way for further
developments such as collaborating with schools to teach youngsters some DIY skills.
Potential premises options
Option 1 - Purpose built shed
Current plans are available to build our own shed, providing we can find some viable land to build on.
Overall dimensions of the proposed building are 14m x 8m, or 46 ft x 26 ft equal to 1196 sq ft
The internal room sizes work out as below.
Tool room 24.4 x 14.3 ft = 349 sq ft
Meeting room 28.9 x 18 ft = 520 sq ft
Store 6.0 x 16.7 ft = 100 sq ft
For comparison purposes, a site hut measurements may be:
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Minimum 10 x 24 ft = 240 sq ft
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Maximum 12 x 32 ft = 384 sq ft
Option 2 - Refurbish existing premises
If we could find a suitable existing building that needs refitting or refurbishment, we might be able to adapt our requirements to fit the building
configuration.
However, grant assistance would be required plus a suitable worded lease that protected our long-term occupancy.
Option 3 - Share existing premises in partnership with others
This could prove an extremely beneficial venture for both partners providing a proper working relationship can be agreed.
Careful consideration would need to be given to the potential sharing of:
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Utilities
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Security
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Operational times
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Parking
Housekeeping would also need to be considered to ensure there was no impact of mess, dust and noise from an extraction system.
Storage requirements for Shedders tools, materials and work in progress would also need to be accommodated.
Option 4 - Field barn
If we could locate a suitable field barn there is potential to either refit the barn in terms of insulation, facilities, security and services, or possibly insert a
site hut into the building which would mitigate both refits and planning permission.
Potential Partner Benefits
Members of Looe Shedders have a wide range of skills that might be of use to partners on a quid-pro-quo basis, following the example of us taking on
some maintenance tasks in St. Martin’s Community Hall and its grounds.
Partners would be recognised as a sponsor and share in the good will that Looe Shedders as created in the community, so some good PR for our
partners, potentially leading to more customers/visitors.
Also, Looe Shedders is developing a range of crafting skills among its members. This could be leveraged to stage crafting workshops on, say, tourist
camp sites, attracting more customers.
Issues to be considered
Planning permission
We have yet to establish exactly what permissions we might need to deliver the above options.
Location
Distance from Looe is a key factor as we know that more than one shed has needed to move closer to town, due to members being unwilling/unable to
travel any distance outside their area.
Security must also be considered when looking at remote locations.
Utilities
Connection to all of the utilities below need to be considered.
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Gas
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Electric
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Fibre broadband
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Solar energy
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Sewage
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Water
Split site
If we end up in a smallish site hut some distance apart from the hall, the “Big Tools” workers will be split from crafters and our Repair Café.
Budget
It often comes down to funding. What is on offer versus what we can afford in set up and operational costs. We do not want to have to increase
membership fees and price some needy individuals out of joining.
Parking
We need parking for, say, up to 10 vehicles. This is based on the attendances reported by other sheds which open a lot more than we do.
Noise suppression
Some of our tools are noisy, so noise suppression is very important.
Insurance
A big unknown depending very much on circumstances, but it will not be cheap.
Refurb/upgrade costs
Again, unknown.
Shed Management
With our own home, we will be able to open many more times a month. However this means we must provide someone, a Shed Head, in charge at
every meeting.
This may prove challenging.
Why Looe Shedders
need a new permenant home