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Otley Common
Community Benefit - Community Shares
Forecast
return
Otley Common is breathing new life into an existing civic building, creating a community-led, climate-positive, cultural hub in the heart of the vibrant town of Otley, Leeds.
- Where your money goes
- Team
- Documents
- Updates
Updates
No updates.
Otley Common
Society no. 9110
Bradford, UK
Incorporation date: 11 August 2023
Your money will…
Combat loneliness and promote culture in Otley by providing a much-needed multi-functional community hub for people to meet, play and work
Boost the local economy by providing a space for large events, retail opportunities, education provision and social enterprises to grow and thrive
Promote sustainability by supporting the energy-efficient retrofit of the building and creating a blueprint for futureproofing civic buildings
Earn a potential return. Investments in the share offer target a 6.25% return
The bigger picture
Loneliness can affect around 6% of adults in England, with rural areas such as Otley particularly impacted due to limited access to services and communal spaces. Although a thriving market community, Otley lacks essential social and cultural facilities, leaving local people, enterprises and organisations without a space to meet or work. Through this share offer, the community is raising funds to buy former Otley Methodist Church buildings and transform them into ‘The Otley COMMON’, a place for the community, owned by the community. The space will be home to:
- Community and social groups, from Brownies and Scouts to yoga and art classes.
- Local small businesses and social enterprises.
- A co-working space for people to get together.
- An events space that will enable larger events to take place in Otley.
- A vibrant community cafe and meeting space.
- A showcase for renewable energy and sustainability in the Caretakers Cottage.
- And much more.
Where your money goes
Your investment in Otley Common will:
- Enable the purchase of the buildings so they are owned by the community for the use and benefit of all and sustainable renovation to provide high-quality, energy-efficient premises for businesses, groups and individuals- fit for the future.
- Help create a scalable and replicable model for repurposing civic buildings, embodying the vision of repairing Britain’s social fabric while taking positive climate action.
- Help Otley attract more visitors and tourists, benefitting the community and local economy.
- Create an accessible space for startups, social enterprises and community groups to provide training, employment and opportunities for local people to socialise.
Team
Otley Common is breathing new life into an existing civic building, creating a community-led, climate-positive, cultural hub in the heart of the vibrant town of Otley.
https://www.otleycommon.org/team
Clare Smith
Chair
Clare was born and bred in Otley and having lived away she moved back 10 years ago. Clare is now Chair of Otley’s Community Theatre Group, Otley Players. Clare is an Executive Director of one of the largest NHS Hospital Trusts in the country, specialising in operational management, and is passionate about inclusive access to the Arts for all.
Stephen Taylor
Board
Stephen is a Creative Director and strategist with 10+ years experience working with the worlds most revered design and creative agencies. He has helped global brands both big and small build relevance in an ever changing world, and believes that design has the power to change life for better, smarter and more relevant ways we interact with the world. Clients include: Apple, Amazon, Adidas, Audi, Colorplan Papers, Cupra Seat, Derwent London, Design Miami / Basel, Established & Son, G.F Smith, Gill Marine, H&M, Huawai, Hunter, Naim Audio, Samsung, Stella McCartney, Tom Dixon & Vitra.
Andy Boyle
Finance
Andy is a former corporate finance and strategic planning partner in an accountancy and business advisory practice with over 20 years of experience. He is a founder of Otley 2030 and Otley Energy, a Community Benefit Society. He has extensive experience sitting on and advising third sector boards and currently advises national and local government on the transition to net zero and sustainable communities.
Andy Boyle
Finance
Simon Palmer
Finance
Simon is a Chartered Accountant and Partner within a top 10 firm of Chartered Accountants Azets. He has been an Otley resident all his life and has recently been instrumental in helping set up Otley Live. Simon has worked within the music industry and brings his financial awareness and local music connections to the board. He currently heads Azets Accountants.
Max Fontana-Revel
Board Member
Max moved to the area two years ago, and has a background as a Business Executive across sectors including design, manufacturing, e-commerce, IT, investment and blockchain. Max noticed that Hook Norton is a leading light in the area, in providing community projects and services to locals, and would like to do what he can to encourage this. He was keen to join the HNCLT Board to aid these local projects, alongside learning more about the community.
Richard Brown
Board Member
Richard has lived in Oxfordshire for most his life. He moved to Hook Norton in 2021, was married there, and his youngest child attends the village nursery. He has a background in the operational management of complex, public-facing buildings and has worked for a variety of outsourcing companies. He currently manages the facility operations for a prominent University. He joined the HNCLT board in 2023 to use his experiences to support local initiatives, and to be more involved in the village and assist in the running of long-lasting community-led facilities. .
Annabel Shawcross
Board Member
Annabel moved to Hook Norton five years ago but lived just outside the village for 16 years. Her three children went to both playgroup and the primary school and Annabel is an active member of many village groups. Annabel runs her own online gift business but before moving to Oxfordshire was New Media Communications Manager at the NSPCC, specialising in young people-facing communications, so has first-hand knowledge of the issues facing young people trying to find their way in the world, housing being a prime concern.
Anne Tutt
Board Member
Anne has lived in Hook Norton for more than 20 years. She is passionate about supporting the community and ensuring the village has sustainable, affordable housing for the future. Anne has extensive finance and governance skills. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant with more than 30 years’ experience of board membership as both an Executive and Non-executive Director. She is a member of Council at Swansea University and a trustee / advisor to three charities. Until recently, she was Vice Chair of Oxford University Hospitals, which runs the Churchill, Horton and John Radcliffe hospitals and the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre.
Team member
team position
Richard has lived in Oxfordshire for most his life. He moved to Hook Norton in 2021, was married there, and his youngest child attends the village nursery. He has a background in the operational management of complex, public-facing buildings and has worked for a variety of outsourcing companies. He currently manages the facility operations for a prominent University. He joined the HNCLT board in 2023 to use his experiences to support local initiatives, and to be more involved in the village and assist in the running of long-lasting community-led facilities.
Team Member Name 11
Team Member Position 11
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Team Member Name 12
Team Member Position 12
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Interest accrual and payment
Interest will start accruing from year ending 31st March 2029. Interest payments are expected to be made starting November 2029.
Getting your money out
Shares are not transferable and withdrawing of share capital is subject to agreement by the board. Otley Common expects to allow 4% capital withdrawals each year beginning from 2029.
Investing on behalf of children
Applicants must be 18 years old or more to participate in this offer.
Investments can be made on behalf of children at the end of the Ethex order process.
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