The future of Kingshill House, a Georgian mansion in the Cotswolds, has been secured as a popular arts centre with the Stroud District Councillors agreeing to a new seven-year lease. The grade II*-listed mansion has been operating as an arts centre, providing classes, workshops, and room hire for community use and social events for the past two decades.
The mansion, located in Kingshill Lane, Dursley, previously served as offices for the Stroud District Council. However, it has transitioned into an arts center managed by the charity Kingshill House Ltd under a 25-year full repairing and insuring lease, paying a nominal £5 annual rent to the council. The lease, originally set to expire in October 2024, has been extended for an additional seven years.
The support provided by the Stroud District Council has enabled Kingshill House to revise its business plan, resulting in successful operations, a busy event schedule, and an anticipated surplus cash flow by the year-end. The charity has bolstered its volunteer base, strengthened its trustee body, and ensured routine repairs and maintenance, although it cannot manage the entire building’s upkeep. Consequently, the council has assumed responsibility for the roof and structural maintenance and allocated funds for priority works and investigations to preserve the building’s integrity.
READ MORE: Gloucester’s Conservative leadership to be evaluated based on city accomplishments, praises MP Richard Graham for endorsing wage hikes and tax reductions
READ MORE: Concerns Arise Over 34 Gloucestershire Care Providers Requiring Improvement
During the council meeting, concerns were raised about the potential financial commitment, but ultimately, the extension of the lease was approved. Councillors highlighted the significant value Kingshill House brings to the local community and expressed optimism about the effective management of the property, emphasizing its potential to ultimately become self-sustaining.