Wolseley CEDT emerged in 1994-96 from the large-scale redevelopment of a derelict area of inner city Plymouth. The original need in the areas was for employment, facilities and new business opportunities. The opportunity was provided by the acquisition of a derelict site together with development funding. While the obvious use for the site was new housing the vision of local people was for business use to meet the economic needs of the area.

The trust is a membership organisation with 500 plus members who elect the majority of its management board. The board has nine community resident directors and three local business directors elected by the membership.

The Trust ran a community capacity-building phase from 1995 to 1996 which allowed community involvement to be operated successfully. Following a period of skills training a shadow board was formed which evolved into a an elected management board in November 1996.

The main partnership continues to be with Plymouth City Council which owns the sites on which the trust operates. In 2000 the city council transferred derelict land and buildings to the trust on a 25 year lease to develop and manage two business parks, a healthy living centre and a community resource building. The City Council also provides direct financial support and in-kind officer support for various joint activities. In addition, city councillors also sit on the trust’s board. The newer Scott Business Park has 35 units and completely let.

The ethos on which the trust operates is to use its trading arm to financially support its community activities – in 2005/06 the trading arm raised £120,000 in financial support and more than £50,000 in in-kind support. The Trust manages two business parks and two community centres worth approximately £10million.

The trust has a turnover of £950,000 per annum, with trading comprising £620,000 a year. The Trust provides £150,000 in direct financial support for community activities.

The project was made possible by two major injections of funding from ERDF and SRB over a nine year period.

Economic benefits

The Trust has supported the creation of over 650 jobs –most created by tenants of the business park. The creation of local employment is strongly encouraged by the trust.

Other benefits

The model of community-run regeneration epitomised by the trust’s management by a community-dominated board underpinned by asset ownership and management has enabled sustained improvements to a deprived area of the city.

• Have two ‘faces’ – professional and business-like with customers but soft and accountable with community and partners
• Develop your own systems with ‘just enough’ complexity that are non-bureaucratic
• Asset-base development requires that assets are viable for the aims
• Aim high and to be good at everything but seek professional help when necessary

Contact: Peter Flukes: peter@wolseley-trust.org