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 perpsective, 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 nine community projects, with three more underway and six waiting to be started. At our current work rate, hampered by inclement weather and the missing tools, we estimate it will take another three years to complete our existing list. Consequently, we are turning away most new requests for our services until we can find a new home and get things moving.

Core Issues

Most of our work has to be conducted outside as it's too messy for the community hall, where we meet twice a month and space in our temporary storage units, Chacons, is severely restricted making tool and materials access challenging. Our own shed would be a game changer, allowing us to use larger power tools which at the moment are housed in members garages, requiring transportation to and from the hall when weather permits.

Our Need for Premises:

To fully serve our community, we need our own premises to: • Extend our operating hours • Attract more members • Reach our full community potential • Combat social isolation in the community • Support more community initiatives • Build essential items for schools, clubs, churches, and individuals in need • Provide storage for materials and equipment • 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: • Minimum 10 x 24 ft = 240 sq ft • 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: • Utilities • Security • Operational times • 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. • Gas • Electric • Fibre broadband • Solar energy • Sewage • 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.