Sostenibilità
UK: Supporting economic and environmental change
Co-operative & Community Finance has provided financial support to a UK development trust dedicated to building a sustainable economic future for its community
Co-operative & Community Finance ? the lender for social purpose – has recently provided financial support to a UK development trust that's not only dedicated to building a sustainable economic future for its community, but is also striving to become carbon-neutral.
The Bootstrap Company, based in the centre of Dalston in London, has two major activities. It acts as a positive catalyst for change in Dalston, ensuring that regeneration projects benefit the local community, but it also manages a large portfolio of affordable workspace for small and growing businesses, charities and voluntary groups. It holds the leases for three buildings in Dalston – the Print House (pictured below), Colourworks and the Warehouse – and is currently renovating the buildings to provide further workspace and ensure that the buildings are more environmentally friendly. Via its newly developed Fitzroy Studios, the trust is also offering unique desk spaces from £49 per week that come with free wired and wireless Internet and conference rooms, parking and showering facilities.
Speaking on the financial support, Mary Doyle, chair of the Bootstrap Company and senior adviser to the Development Trusts Association, says: "This has been most helpful in financing the carbon neutrality of the Bootstrap Company. We are very keen to work with ethical lenders like ICOF, and it is important that resources are available to support this sort of visionary community enterprise. The money has been partly used to fund the installation of solar roof tiles, and the creation of 60 rent a desk spaces for local micro enterprises."
Ian Taylor of Co-operative & Community Finance says: ?We hope that the financial support we?ve provided to the Bootstrap Company will create a ripple effect of regeneration across Dalston. By providing affordable, flexible workspace in the area, the company is encouraging growth of micro-enterprise which will ultimately benefit the local economy and community.?
