Buy Crossgates Library for the Community

Aim

The race is on to buy this historic, loved building in order to provide local communities with a safe, affordable place to come together.

Buy Crossgates Library as a Community Centre for East Leeds.

If we do not meet the fundraising target the Crowdfunder platform will REFUND your donation IN FULL. 

Crossgates and East Leeds is in desperate need of a community centre.  Up until late 2023, we were expecting the wonderful Art Deco Library, brick-built in 1939 at the heart of the community, to be renovated and reopened as a state-of-the-art library and community hub.  Then came the news that those plans had been scrapped, and that the building is to be auctioned off at the end of February.   Since that announcement was made, leading figures from schools, churches, arts and sports clubs, and local residents groups, alongside local councillors, have been working hard together to find a way to keep this building forever - for the people of Crossgates. We have a plan.

The Crossgates Community Coalition has a vision that would provide a much needed place for a variety of community-led groups, activities and services.  We want to buy the building, and then implement plans to immediately renovate enough of it to install a community tenant or two whose rent will go towards bills and further renovation.  A tenant has been found, and realistic renovation costs have been quoted. A CIC (Community Interest Company) is being formed to manage the project. 

To begin this journey, We need to raise £350,000 to buy the building and do a basic main hall renovation including new heating, electrics, LED lighting and windows. This is the last chance Crossgates has to preserve its publicly owned building for the use of its residents. Will you help us? The time line is short, and we are looking to the wealthier residents of Leeds, Yorkshire and the UK to help us do this.

A community centre means so many things to so many people. It is be a place that can house all manner of clubs, from boxing to knitting, from reading groups to youth clubs. Elderly people can find a warm place to meet people and ward off loneliness. Mother and baby groups can find friendship, guidance and support in bringing up the next generation. Teenagers can find alternatives to hanging round on the streets, bored and vulnerable to illegal drugs and anti-social behaviour. To have a community centre in our midst would enhance our area hugely, and make it a better place for everyone to live, now and for generations to come.

We are not asking people who don't have money to spare, but we are asking people who can afford to donate to pledge as much as they can, as quickly as they can, to save this building, to preserve it for the people, for the future of Crossgates and East Leeds. 

The Important Bits:  

REFUNDS:

If we do not meet the fundraising total by the deadline the Crowdfunder platform will REFUND your donation IN FULL. 

GIFT AID -  CAN YOU TICK THE GIFT AID BOX?

The fundraiser is being hosted by Connecting Crossgates, which is a Registered Charity which mean we are eligible for GIFT AID which is 25% on top of your donation provided from the Government  AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU. (it is your already paid tax going to charity instead)

'TIPPING' POLICY

You are not obliged to 'TIP' the Crowdfunding Company, you can click 'Enter Custom Amount' and enter 'Zero'. Then click 'Continue'.

Please make it your legacy that you helped save THE ONLY available publically owned space for the community of Crossgates which is in the 13th most deprived Constituency in the whole country (out of 533 Constituencies) and preserve it's history and secure it's future for generations to come.

You can also contact us to discuss the project, or to make corporate donations at [email protected]

This project closed unsuccessfully on 21st February 2024