Financial struggle Youth club in fight for survival
ABRISTOL youth club that sold a Banksy mural more than 10 years ago is facing the risk of closing down as it battles against administration. The Broad Plain Boys’ Club in Easton, part of The Riverside Youth Project, said that it is under threat of closure after losing vital revenue and the closure of its alternative learning provision following budget cuts.
Broad Plain made headlines when it sold the Banksy mural, which was found on a boarded-up door next to the club, for £403,000. It is understood that Banksy was a former member of the club.
But Dennis Stinchcombe, who is the director of the club and the Riverside Youth Project and is a signatory for the Together for Change campaign against knife crime, says that the club is looking to just survive to the end of each month. Fundraisers have been set up to try and generate vital money for the club.
The 69-year-old is the sole staff member at the boys club, and said: “In 2013 the club was going downhill and I had a triple heart bypass, it was not a good time. Banksy designed the artwork on a nearby door and I was advised to take the mural into the club.
“With Banksy’s permission we sold the mural to generate crucial funding which helped the club. Thousands across Bristol benefitted from the money, and we were able to install lighting and heating into our facilities and buy two minibuses to help young people come to the club and to organise trips.
“However, we are back to the same position as before. In July the alternative learning provision was shut down due to budget cuts, the scheme helped those with difficult learning behaviours, which was a big loss. Events started to get cancelled and now I worry whether our 130-year history will be lost. It is a dire position.”
Broad Plain has helped a number of young people to socialise and meet other people from different backgrounds, and according to Dennis has made a huge impact on those who are part of the club. As the money dwindles, Dennis is worried about the impact the loss of the club will have on Bristol’s communities.
“Broad Plain helps people get their lives back, whether they are young or old. We introduced no-contact boxing for those with Parkinson’s disease, walking football for elderly people and our youth club helps boys in need of support through boxing and other activities.
“We have young boys join our cadet clubs, two boys this year will be joining the army and another two will join the navy. We know that all of this benefits everyone.
“Due to the recent knife crime, which is the worst I’ve ever seen in my 49 years of running the boys club, it’s become even harder to get volunteers to support Broad Plain. They worry whether they will be stabbed, how do we not only look after our users but our volunteers?”
A new facility for the club will open in 2028 when land surrounding the facility is developed. However Dennis just hopes to be able to survive April. A number of events are planned to try and raise money, and Dennis hopes it isn’t too late.
Dennis added: “In 130 years we have never closed and we have served not just Easton but communities across Bristol. We have enough money to get through March, it is anyone’s guess if we get through April. I am trying to stay hopeful, but it is so dire.”