The idea of developing community sport and leisure facilities at Blackbridge has evolved over several years, gradually gaining strategic and financial support from a number of key stakeholders, including Gloucester City Council and Gloucestershire County Council, Gloucester City Homes, the local Clinical Commissioning Group, Sport England, Gloucestershire Football Association, Podsmead Big Local, the Integrated Care Service and Gloucester Athletic Club. More recently a large number of local sports clubs and community organisations have lent their support to the scheme by committing to use of the facilities once they’re built.

What will be at the Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub?

The list is almost endless! Outdoors we will offer football, cricket and rugby, as well as walking and running routes and children’s play plus facilities to support Gloucester Athletics Club which is right next door. On the ground floor of the Hub building we will offer a fitness gym offering cardiovascular and resistance equipment as well as free weights and various gym-based fitness classes. Upstairs there will be a large studio space offering dance, yoga, Pilates and martial arts classes, and a flexible space to host social and cultural events, classes, meetings and training events. A bar and kitchen will offer healthy food and drink options throughout the day, making the Hub an ideal place for lunch or a leisurely coffee with friends. We will also develop significant provision for young people including facilities for youth activities and clubs.

Who is developing the Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub?

The development of the Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub project has for a long time been led by people drawn from local sports clubs and community development charities. Last year the group decided to form the Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society (Blackbridge CCBS), which was established for the benefit of the community rather than solely for its members.

Once established and open local people will be able to jointly own the organisation by buying shares (£1 each, minimum purchase of 5), which gives them membership and a vote in decisions about the project. Crucially, it also means funds can be raised through community share offers, social investment and from charitable trusts.

Community-owned, community-led

The Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub has been driven by local people and local needs from the outset, and forms part of a bigger regeneration plan for the Podsmead neighbourhood which, despite possessing many positive qualities, has according to government indices been the most disadvantaged in Gloucestershire for at least a decade, including across health and wellbeing measures.

For example, according to the 2019 indices, the Podsmead estate is within the top 3% most health deprived areas nationally for people aged 16 – 64.

Residents have been invited to be part of the development throughout, through a number of open consultation events within Podsmead to view plans and ask questions, regular updates posted through doors of all houses in the areas and an open channel of communication inviting feedback at every stage.

Find out more in our Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub Frequently Asked Questions.