Honiton Community Spaces (CUB) 

Registered Charity No 1192604

Background

Honiton Community Spaces achieved charitable status in December 2020 having been created by a group of visionary local people who were determined to ensure that the Community Use Building (CUB) in Honiton could be retained and developed for the benefit of the community.

The building and grounds were eventually acquired from Devon County Council in 2021 and since then, the trustees have worked tirelessly to improve the building in order to make it weatherproof, secure and safe. Through fundraising, both locally and nationally, and generous donations from companies and individuals, a significant amount of money has been raised to upgrade the fabric of the building. Major projects involved the replacement of the roof in 2023, followed by extensive refurbishment after flooding later that year.  In 2025, thanks to a grant from the Carbon Action Fund, a range of improvements were made to reduce carbon consumption including installing solar panels and a new boiler, better insulation and the subdivision of the downstairs halls. During the same time period, we have been mindful of the need to make the building accessible for all users and are pleased to have been able to install a wheelchair lift, a fire escape ramp, and more recently, a hearing loop in the main hall.

Usage of the building and grounds remains high with many of the original user groups still with us. We continue to attract a range of bookings from organisations and individuals who clearly value the facilities that we have to offer.

Trustees have come and gone over the last four years, with Mike Jones and Chris Doran, both founder trustees, standing down in 2025. We are indebted to them for their time, energy, and dedication to the CUB through good times and bad. The current Board of Trustees aim to continue with the same level of commitment and enthusiasm to ensure the CUB is sustainable into the future.

Our Trustees

History

In early 2014, the restructuring and funding cuts within Devon County Council led to a reduction of the Devon Youth Service provision. As a direct consequence of this, DCC closed both Honiton Youth Club and the Youth Centre at the bottom of School Lane.

Based on the premise that the community of Honiton deserve nothing less than the quality of service that was provided before, Honiton Community College took on the Tenancy at Will of the building to keep it open whilst a rescue plan was put in place. Gary Wills, the Director of Finance and Resources at the school, took the lead on this in September 2014. At this point, the building was renamed the Community Use Building (CUB). Matt Burrell took over as the Director of Finance and Resources the following year. He maintained the tenancy of the building in the school’s name to ensure its continued availability to the community and user groups. The understanding was that the CUB was being held ‘temporarily’ until its future ownership was determined.  

 Honiton Youth Club became a separate official charity and re-opened in 2015.  Initially, in the absence of other interest, it looked like the youth club might have to prepare to hold the freehold of the building. Then, at different stages in the ensuing five years, both Honiton Community College and Honiton Town Council looked at taking over the freehold of the building. 

 Things were not progressing swiftly, except for the cold fact that the building remained on DCC's Asset Disposal Register. It could have been sold on the open market and lost to the community without the school’s important intervention. Eventually, in late 2018, DCC awarded Honiton Town Council the opportunity for the Community Asset Transfer, offering the freehold of the CUB for the discounted price of £1. The bidding process was co-led by Mike Jones. Further information about this can be found on the Honiton Town Council website.

 In February 2019, a group of people came together and made a proposal to Honiton Town Council to help save the building. The Town Councillors unanimously agreed to the idea. The initial group comprised: Matt Burrell of HCC, Representatives of the User Groups, Zoe Allars of the 7 to 9 Club, Di Virgin of Honiton Parent & Toddler Group, Chris Doran of
Honiton Health Matters, Joanna O’Donoghue of Honiton Youth Club and Vernon Whitlock (former Mayor and founder of the Beehive) of Honiton Shedders.

 In August 2020 Mike Jones joined as a trustee and became chair. We achieved charitable status on the 1st of December 2020. On August the 27th 2021 we signed for the building and took over the freehold with a covenant it remains for community use. 

Flood 2023