The Parishes of St Giles and St Philip and St James with St Margaret

  St Margaret's Institute
Community Centre

30 Polstead Road, Oxford

.... a project of St Margaret's Church
Parochial Church Council.... .... run for the benefit of the wider community....


Parish agrees to buy St. Margaret’s Institute

from St. John’s College

 

architectural drawing of 1889We are delighted to report that the Parish has reached an agreement to buy St Margaret’s Institute from St John’s.

We have agreed a price of £400,000 for a 999 year lease for the entire building. St John’s has generously allowed us four years to raise this money.

In addition, St John’s is immediately returning the top two floors of the building to the control of the Parish. In the next few years this income stream will assist us in raising the money for the purchase.



An architectural drawing of the Institute of 1889

Background
The Institute is one of the small number of community buildings in North Oxford. It is home to a large number of important activities, such as the Polstead Playgroup and the Limes Club. 
The long lease from St John’s means that these and other groups will have a secure home. It means we will be able to expand the range of activities in the Institute and improve the facilities.
The Institute has been an important part of North Oxford life for over 130 years. The building was constructed with monies raised by public subscription in the local area.  
So we feel particularly happy that we now have this opportunity to secure the long-term future of this  building for the use of the community.



SMI - an open door (image)
The Parochial Church Council (PCC)  holds the lease of the Institute. 12 members of the local community serve on the management committee that is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the centre.  Membership of the committee is drawn from all sections of the community.

The PCC has asked the management committee to plan to raise the money for this purchase of the lease. We will need to find £500,000 to buy the lease and carry out necessary repairs and improvements.

We are looking at a variety of imaginative schemes to assist us in raising the funds and we welcome help from all parts of the community. Your ideas and enthusiasm will be vital.

We held an 'Information Day' (see below) at the Institute on Saturday 22nd May.  We will be seeking the support of a number of Trusts and grant-making bodies, and launching our appeal to the local community on Saturday 2nd October 2004.  Please note this date in your diaries.

The decision to buy the lease removes the uncertainty over the future of the building and allows us to plan for the improvement of the facilities for all local residents. Though we face a large task in raising the money, we have no doubt that we will be successful and hope that you will be able to support us.






Back to Index