Main fundraiser photo

Save Rayleigh Mill Hall Fund

WHO ARE WE?
We are a group of residents in Rayleigh and Rochford District who believe that Rayleigh Mill Hall is an essential community hub and cultural resource which should be invested in and cherished for current and future generations to benefit from and enjoy.

WHAT'S HAPPENING?
Rochford District Council (RDC) wants to demolish the Mill Hall as part of it's combined disposal of council assets within the district. The reason for disposing of the council assets, according to RDC, is for overall district cost saving but primarily to afford a multi million pound new build of council offices in Rochford at the Freight House. The advancement of the plans is happening during the Covid-19 Pandemic, which means meaningful engagement by the public has been difficult and we believe the process should be halted for proper public scrutiny and discussion.   

RDC wants to demolish Mill Hall and replace it with four-story flat blocks which are to be built a stone's throw from our historic grade II listed Windmill. An insufficient, small community centre less than 10 percent the size of the Mill Hall will be built directly next to the Windmill as an attempt at 'replacing' the Mill Hall. A significant reduction of essential public parking spaces will occur on the site as part of the development.

Mill Hall has been underfunded for years by RDC and appears to have been left to deteriorate with no intention of protecting its future. We believe this is a dereliction of duty by RDC who should have been preserving and enhancing our key assets for our use as taxpayers. The Mill Hall was before the Pandemic, a busy, vital community hub and could have a very successful future with investment and decent management. 

WHY ARE WE FUNDRAISING?
We need funds to increase publicity for the 'Save Rayleigh Mill Hall' campaign and for a future fund which will help us to attempt to protect the hall from the council's proposed development. Any donations, of any size are gratefully received and will go a long way to helping us protect one of Rayleigh's vital assets.

ABOUT THE HALL
The Mill Arts & Events Centre in Rayleigh, Essex, known locally as 'The Mill Hall', has been a well-used and well-loved vital community centre for 50 years, and pre-Covid Pandemic was busier than ever. It is a multi-purpose venue with a large hall space with fixed stage and equipment and 'backstage' space, break out rooms and bar and an upstairs second hall for further functions and a cafe. 

A smaller replacement community centre will mean live music, theatre, comedy nights, craft fairs and many other events that currently take place at The Mill Hall will no longer be able to take place, because the reduced size will mean that it will not be possible to sell enough tickets to recoup the costs of hosting such events and because the facilities for such events will not be sufficient.
Donate

Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • £10 
    • 1 yr
  • Anonymous
    • £10 
    • 1 yr
  • David Hopper
    • £50 
    • 1 yr
  • Andrew Cross
    • £20 
    • 1 yr
  • Oliver Scott
    • £50 
    • 1 yr
Donate

Fundraising team: Fundraising team (2)

John Payton
Organizer
Jill Waight
Team member

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.