Why will our plan work?

We need to turn round the current loss-making situation that has put the future of The Greig in great peril. The key elements to make this happen are:

• By creating attractive new facilities with far greater customer appeal, we will be able to generate more bookings for parties, events and meetings and at better hire rates.
• We are creating new income streams, such as the Café Bar, which will feature a well-known coffee outlet as well as refreshments and snacks throughout the day, and will operate as a Bar in the evenings.
• The new facilities which be much cheaper to operate - saving us considerable sums on running costs and maintenance. The new facility is projected to operate at a reduced costs approaching £50,000 each year.
• With new facilities built to modern day standards, we should achieve savings of over one third on our utilities bills. Just on electricity, we should save £14,000 each year as well as having the potential to generate our own electricity in the new scheme.
• The new facilities have been designed to meet the needs of our current user groups, but offer a better and more welcoming environment.
• Our projections are conservative and realistic, being based upon significant work and testing by our team.

Combining our projected increases in income and reductions in operating costs, this will enable The Greig to operate at a financial surplus for the first time in years, ensuring the Trust is able to continue to invest in The Greig to maintain and improve our facilities and continue to support our users.

The principles of the proposals have the support of our key stakeholders and have been confirmed by The Charities Commission as being a suitable way forward for the Trust.

Why have other proposals been rejected?

Before looking at the redevelopment project, the Trust considered a host of other options. Whilst the preferred option was to undertake a major refurbishment of The Greig Hall the grant applications, for the significant sums of money needed, were unsuccessful.

The Trust has been approached with an alternative proposal by The Greig Hall Action Committee. Their proposal has been carefully considered but rejected because, overall, it does not provide a realistic, feasible nor sustainable plan for the future of The Greig.

To read the official response to The Greig Hall Action Committee's proposal, click here.