About the project

The brief was to develop a Business Plan for the London Diocesan Fund (LDF) and Parochial Church Council (PCC) in partnership with the Ecclesiastical Parish of the Barnsbury Team Ministry (BTPCC). The Parish had previously had four assets: the former Holy Trinity Church, Cloudesley Square (renamed Cloudesley Centre), a Grade II* listed, deconsecrated church; St Andrew's, a Grade II listed church; Church on the Corner, a former pub; and a fourth unlisted church, which separated from the Parish during the project.

The aim was to identify long-term opportunities for each building.

The consultancy's role

Alix Slater Consultancy & Training conducted research, business planning, and financial analysis, focusing on reusing historic buildings. This was then aligned with the findings from consultation with the community.

An initial idea was to rent out space in the Cloudesley Centre for hot-desking. Drawing on experience from similar projects, the consultancy examined market rates and critical factors for attracting tenants. The consultancy also referenced research by the National Churches Trust, learning that many churches struggled to break even with cafés and that demand for office space had decreased post-Covid.

The consultancy produced an options appraisal, recommending synergies across the Parish's buildings. Interest in the Cloudesley Centre lease led to drawing up Heads of Terms for a local business which was looking to expand, enabling expansion and job creation. The consultancy developed a business model to support capital costs with a rent-free period and explored complementary income generation and community uses.

The consultancy also considered disposing of a property and providing space in existing churches for its congregation. The outputs included an options appraisal and two business plans, covering capital costs, long-term management, fundraising, income generation, and workforce planning to support applications to The National Lottery Heritage Fund. LDF has gone on to secure a capital grant to deliver the project.