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First CIC to receive Social Enterprise Mark to close in December 2

Finance | Niki May Young | 25 Aug 2011

The Pierian Centre Community Interest Company, a training and self-development centre and the first CIC ever to be awarded the Social Enterprise Mark, is to close in December due to an imbalance in money, energy and output, the organisation’s founder has said.

The Bristol-based centre has provided space for training, health and wellbeing, arts and community services for nine and a half years, having been launched as a sole trader and become a CIC in 2007. It is also the South West regional co-ordinator for Platforma, a national charity supporting refugee related arts.

In a statement to patrons June Burrough, founder director of the organisation, said: "After nine and a half years of serving the community of Bristol, we have acquired a reach across the city which in enviable and unique.

"The multi-dimensional mix of people that we bring together at our astonishing events and the inclusive practice demonstrated daily here at the Pierian Centre in Portland Square is extraordinary and has huge value – but the equation between money, energy and output no longer balance."

Some 30,000 people use the Pierian Centre every year and in its lifetime it has celebrated several landmark successes. In February 2009 the Centre became the first CIC to be awarded the Social Enterprise Mark for positive social and environmental impact. In 2010 it was chosen by Bristol’s Legacy Commission to act as lead partner to its Working Together for Positive Change response to European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion (EY2010). Burrough herself, who regenerated the grade 1 listed building herself while living in it, was appointed the UK’s national campaign ambassador for the EY2010.

But the commitments over the past year meant the CIC, which has an annual turnover of £190,000, was losing over £5,000 a month, Burrough advised: “To achieve last year’s amazing successes we picked up a shortfall of £50,000. We did this more than willingly, and the results of the year speak for themselves – but the pot has now run dry,” she said. “So with real pride in our achievements, we will sail the Good Ship Pierian on her last voyage back into harbour this December.”

The Pierian Centre received £5000 in 2009 and £3,900 in 2010 from the Arts Council, and £8,500 in 2009 and £20,400 in 2010 from Bristol Council, but no funds were awarded in 2011. 

Burrough praised her ten-strong team of staff: "We developed a team with an amazing skill set, a deep knowledge base and a reach across Bristol which allowed us to connect with a really diverse mix of communities," she said, "So if anyone out there is in need of those attributes do contact us!"

The Centre will hold a celebratory Open House "instead of a wake" on Tuesday 6 December, 10.30am – 10.30pm.

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