Bollington Initiative Trust
Supporting our thriving local community through
restoring buildings and green spaces
for everyone to enjoy
Bollington Initiative Trust
What we do:
The Bollington Initiative Trust (BIT) is a local charity set up to save buildings of historical importance and green space within Bollington and make them available to the local community to use and enjoy. Our work is focussed on providing sustainable places to support local community groups, residents, families and business and provide places where people can meet, work, learn and have fun together.
Why we do it:
Bollington is a unique town with a great heritage. It is very easy for community buildings and green spaces, to be lost for ever to community use by local people. Our purpose is to save these important places and redevelop them so that they continue to benefit the local community. We strive to make vibrant, sustainable and beautiful spaces for local people and businesses to use.
How we do it:
We identify buildings and green spaces that are important to the people of Bollington. We work with the local community, council and local businesses to acquire these assets on behalf of the local community and then develop and manage them. The charity combines elements of both a Local Development Trust and Community Interest Company. Our aim is to be a true “third sector” supporter and partner to Bollington’s companies, residents and council.
Function rooms and meeting rooms are now available to book on line
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Function rooms and meeting rooms are now available to book on line 〰️
Our Current Projects
Tinkers Clough
Tinkers Clough is a hidden treasure. It’s a beautiful piece of woodland, which is open to the public, and also provides a vital link between the Middlewood Way and the Macclesfield canal towpath.
Following BIT taking on Tinkers, a new path, steps and bridge were built through the Clough because the old one had received very little care and maintenance and was unusable. BIT has restored the Clough, provides ongoing woodland mainteneance, returning it to public use and maintains access.
Turner’s Lodge
Now known as Turner’s Lodge, this disused toilet block was transformed by BIT into a high-spec, eco-friendly building,, which is now the office and show room for a local business, Simplicity Granite.
Located prominently beside the bus terminus. It had been left vacant and dilapidated for 15 years and was destined to be demolished before BIT decided to take it on. BIT felt that it was a building of local character that should be somehow saved and given a new purpose.
Water Street Centre
BIT took over the freehold ownership of the Water Street School building in 2014.
The ground floor of the imposing building is now leased by BIT to the Bollington Pre-school and the first floor is partly used by the Bollington Guides and Brownies.
In response to identified local demand for childcare and family activities, BIT are proposing the creation of a modern, vibrant Family Centre through significant refurbishment and adaption of the Water Street School building.
