Resilience Rewarded: Bridport Area Development Trust’s Revitalisation of Historic LSi Building

Visitors to Bridport will be familiar with the elegant Georgian facade of the Literary and Scientific Institute (LSi) on East Street. Set up in the 1850s to provide adult education to the local area, the building later became the town library before falling into disrepair.

The LSi held significant historical and architectural value to the town of Bridport, and yet it was on the brink of demolition. Bridport Area Development Trust (BADT) eventually took over the dilapidated building from Dorset County Council and embarked on a challenging journey to restore the building and imagine a new purpose for the LSi building.

BADT succeeded in securing funding from several sources such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Architectural Heritage Fund, and English Heritage. As the project progressed,

The project was beset with unforeseen but perhaps inevitable challenges relating to modernising a building from the 1830s. And as the project progressed setbacks like the collapse of the main contractor and the economic upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic further threatened the project. Yet, BADT remained committed to its mission. They swiftly pivoted, re-tendered, and completed the restoration in 2018, breathing new life into the LSi.

The revitalised building housed a vibrant mix of amenities—a ground-floor café, upper-floor commercial spaces, meeting rooms, a work hub with hot desks, and a covered courtyard for various activities. In spite of the challenges, the project was able to retain the emphasis on community engagement and public access, turning the LSi into a social, cultural, and commercial asset for the Bridport community. Testing though they were, the challenges serve to highlight the importance of adaptability and resilience in dealing with community-driven initiatives.

Unfortunately, once reopened, the challenges persisted. The café proved unsustainable and closed in 2019, and the pandemic further complicated matters. Yet, with additional funding, and the support of the Dorset Business Mentors, BADT have navigated further turbulence.

BADT were recommended Dorset Business Mentors by Dorset Council to help facilitate an independent assessment of two competing feasibility studies in the BADT’s search for new leaseholders. Collaboration with their mentor, Andrew Cook, proved fruitful, with his involvement eventually extending to joining BADT as a trustee, indicative of their shared dedication to the project's success. Andrew helped introduce a thorough and transparent decision-making process, which in turn gave BADT confidence in their commercial planning.

The success of the LSi's repurposing is evident in its bustling activity. From hot desks to meeting rooms and podcasting, the building has become a hub of community engagement, reflected in the significant number of bookings for its facilities.

In conclusion, BADT's journey with the LSi is a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives. It also serves to remind us that despite hurdles, their perseverance and strategic approach have turned a dilapidated structure into a thriving community asset.

Help is at hand if you are considering a similar community project and need support. If you would like help or further information, please contact Bridport Area Development Trust (mail@bridportadt.org.uk) and/or Dorset Business Mentors (office@dormen.org.uk)