Otley Methodist Church - Community Buyout

Aim

To raise funds to buy Otley Methodist Church and turn it into a large multi-purpose community hub, called 'The Wesley'.

IMPORTANT UPDATE

We will be closing the Crowdfunder at noon on 15th July and you will have until that date to decide whether you want to donate the money to help us now, or convert it to shares when we launch. 

• If you would like to donate it, then you have to do nothing.  
• If you would like to convert it to shares (or a portion of a share, depending on the price) when we do launch in August, then please send an email to [email protected] with the title “Wesley Community Shares”. In the body of the email include the name you donated under and how much you donated.
• You also have the option to cancel your pledge. You can do this by going to the email you received when you pledged, and clicking “Manage my pledge”.

The loss of the Otley Civic Centre means we no longer have a 'town hall' to host major community events or provide space for community groups to operate.

 Losing Otley Methodist Church and its rooms would be another major blow. Our group, called 'The Wesley', has been working on plans to purchase the Methodist Church for community use.

We are excited to report that our offer to buy the Church has been accepted!

We now face the challenge of raising money for the purchase, some basic refurbishments, and the building's start-up costs. We need around £750,000 to do all of this, so that we can complete the purchase by 31 November and re-open as 'The Wesley' Community Hub on 1 December.

We can't succeed without generous contributions from local people in Otley like you, giving what you can according to your means to help create something truly special for our Community.

'The Wesley' will be run as a not-for-profit community benefit society. We will be shortly issuing a prospectus that will outline the business case for the organisation and will give you the chance to buy shares in the society. 

When we do launch the share scheme, we will give you the chance to convert any money you have pledged here into shares (minus Crowdfunder commission of about 2%).

*If we are unsuccessful, we will return all of your money.

'The Wesley' will provide a large multi-purpose community hub for all age groups and interests, including:

• spaces for various community groups to meet and socialise;
• an events space for community theatre and music events, dance nights, festivals, family events and weddings;
• workspaces for artists, business start-ups, remote workers;
• a working example of sustainable energy with a retrofit in the Caretaker's Cottage.

Find out more about our plans, by visiting www.wesleyotley.org.uk

This project successfully funded on 17th July 2023