The Bromley Arts and Community Initiative

Great art and culture inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better - Arts Council England
We are a Bromley based community organisation formed to achieve two specific and related goals. We are working to: Procure a community building in the heart of Bromley which acts as a focal point for social, recreational, cultural and educational interests, preferably in a historic, flexible use space in the town centre which the community hold in high esteem Promote and encourage the work of Bromley based artists and creative organisations by becoming a platform for the arts and enabling the delivery of imaginative, varied, engaging and educational arts-based activities for the whole community

The Bromley Arts and Community Initiative strongly believes in the significant value of highly engaged and collaborative societies and in the power of the arts to connect individuals across communities and promote well-being. We work to promote arts engagement in Bromley using imaginative and opportunistic means (street art and shipping containers included!). We work collaboratively with various arts organisations to promote engagement in the performing arts, fine arts, design, literature, photography, spoken word, music and other creative pursuits - thus establishing a truly vibrant, fun and inspiring arts scene in Bromley for the benefit everyone.

The Royal Bell, High Street, Bromley

Once the pride of Bromley, The Royal Bell has stood empty with its windows boarded for over 3 years and since the 1990s has housed a sad succession of problem pubs. Despite being Grade II listed this historic pub stands forgotten and decaying. Covering 5 floors (including the basement) with stables to the rear, the Royal Bell is the perfect building to host a variety of arts and community projects right in the centre of Bromley.

The plan...
Top 2 floors: Offices let out to community groups, charities and other local not for profit organisations 1st Floor: A performing arts venue suitable for a theatre or arts cinema let to an established Bromley based performance arts organisation looking to expand their scope

Ground Floor: A community pub and coffee shop paying a commercial rent leased to a small pub company. Small ground floor rooms have potential for development as studio and rehearsal spaces
Stables: A exhibition space, gallery and shop with dedicated space for practical workshops and teaching facilities

The Bromley Arts and Community Initiative plans to try and buy the Royal Bell with funds generated predominantly by shares bought by the people of Bromley, as well as grants and capital funding and also by taking out a commercial mortgage secured against the freehold of the property, financed by rental income from the pub tenant on the ground floor. A Community Land Trust would be set up to procure the building as a not-for-profit entity, ploughing all profits back into the Bromley Arts and Community Initiatives aims.