THE borough’s third largest charity is waiting for the outcome of a Wokingham borough council meeting next month that will likely decide its fate.
The Cowshed, which currently leases the Rubra 2 building at Mulberry Business Park in Wokingham, has been told the council may soon require it to vacate the premises.
At a Community and Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting at Shute End council offices on September 7, committee members will debate whether to recommend to the ruling executive to end the charity’s rolling three-month lease, with the possible intention of turning the building into social housing.
Should the lease end, The Cowshed will face the monumental task of trying to relocate.
“If we have to leave this building we will certainly have to leave Wokingham,” said Cowshed founder and CEO Sally Russell, in an exclusive interview with Wokingham Today.
“And if we can’t find another location we simply won’t be able to operate.”
The charity supports thousands of people in the borough and beyond each year through its services, including providing essential clothing packs, new bedding, baby equipment, care leaver packs, school uniforms, and formal wear.
At its premises it receives tonnes of donated clothes, books and equipment, enabling it to provide free, high-quality clothing and equipment to the hundreds of new referrals – all individuals and families in crisis – that it receives each month.
“We offer many services within the borough that are of real value to the community, said Sally.
“As well as all our regular activities, we work with Youth Justice, special needs schools such as Addington School, offer Duke of Edinburgh schemes, children’s sewing classes, and mother’s coffee mornings in partnership with local maternity services.”
Rubra 2 has become a thriving community hub that brings hundreds of people together, and where the charity’s 400-strong team of volunteers finds meaning, friendship, and community.
If The Cowshed loses its 17,000 sq ft home, Sally is aware that much of what the charity currently provides for those most in need will end.
Its volunteers and the communities it serves are asking residents to support the charity by signing a petition to allow it to remain at Rubra 2 for another five years, on the terms it currently has.
In one week, the petition has already gained more than 2,600 signatures.
“Ideally, we would love to continue with the current arrangement,” said Sally.
“However, if that isn’t possible, we would welcome the opportunity for an investor to purchase the building as an investment and allow The Cowshed to remain as a long-term tenant.
“We would continue paying the rent and rates, while ensuring the building is well cared for and remains a valuable community asset.”
Petition author Denis Carver said: “We understand the council faces difficult financial decisions and competing priorities.
“We simply ask that, before any decision is made, the full value of what happens here is recognised.
“If The Cowshed can no longer operate from Rubra 2, we won’t simply lose a building, we risk losing the heart of everything we do.
“We are incredibly grateful to Wokingham borough council for allowing us to operate from Rubra 2.
“During our time here, it has become a trusted community hub, supporting more than 10,000 people every year.”
Leader of the council, Cllr Stephen Conway, told Wokingham Today: “The Cowshed is one of the many charities that do great work in the borough.
“When the charity previously had to leave its privately-rented premises it was offered a lifeline by the council, and we have allowed it to use one of our buildings free of charge for three years, which equates to about £1.2 million worth of support.
“It was always understood by all parties that it would be for a limited and relatively short period.
“The council has a statutory duty to ensure it gets best value for council taxpayers money from its assets.
“As is well known, the council is facing an extremely difficult financial situation, with a loss of government funding of about £43 million over the next three years.
“Given that, it is sensible that we look at all our buildings to make sure best use is being made of them.
“We have been very open with The Cowshed about this, and they were informed at the outset that occupation at Rubra 2 could only be temporary and we have given them many months’ notice that changes may be coming.
“We will continue to work with The Cowshed to keep them informed, and offer our assistance in helping them find alternative accommodation should that be necessary.”
Wokingham MP Clive Jones told Wokingham Today: “The Cowshed is a fantastic local charity that I have supported for many years.
“I really hope they are able to find a solution to their current issues.”
Anyone with any suitable alternative accommodation, or who intends to join the public meeting at Shute End council offices on Monday, September 7 at 7pm, as an observer, can email Amanda at: fundraising@thecowshed.org
To support the petition, visit: change.org, or visit the charity’s Facebook Page.
