This is a guest post from Annabelle who is one the entrepreneurs moving into SY8 Studios in the formerly redundant workhouse and maternity unit at Ludlow Community Hospital. In the post, Annabelle Brousse de Gersigny explains the plans for Gather and Hundred House Coffee. The current applications (planning, licence) are open for consultation.
Tag: Ludlow Hospital
Plans for community space in former Ludlow Hospital maternity unit published
SY8 Studios has been created in the former workhouse, latterly a maternity unit, in the grounds of the community hospital. Gather is a coworking, creative and multi-use space in SY8 Studios. It intends to offer “workshops, events, collaborations, contemporary culture” as part of a scheme to bring space for artists and small entrepreneurs to East Hamlet. This is welcome but its application for an alcohol and events licence has already created widespread concern, including from the Ludlow Hospital League of Friends who have said they will object to the application. The proposed licencing hours are until 11pm, far too late in the evening. There is nothing wrong with a drink while socialising but in a hospital setting there needs to be strict curfew on sales and events.
Councillors call for more engagement on plans for Shropshire Community Hospital changes
Shropshire Councillors Tracey Huffer and Heather Kidd, both members of Shropshire Council’s Health & Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee, are calling for more information and early discussions on changes being mooted for Ludlow Community Hospital and other community hospitals in the county. There needs to be a wider discussion about what health services are provided in the south of the county, in particular, and where they are located. There is an existing health estate in Ludlow. Ludlow Community Hospital has a lot of space after the closure of wards and the maternity unit. The debate over health resources in south west Shropshire comes at a period when NHS resources locally and across the county are stretched to the limit. Future Fit (now called the Hospitals Transformation Programme) was meant to reorganise hospital services across the county, but that transformation has become unaffordable with costs rising above £500 million.
Plans for workshops and offices at Ludlow Community Hospital approved
Plans have been approved that will bring new life to the former infirmary building at Ludlow Community Hospital. The building has been unused and decaying for years. The maternity unit was moved into the main hospital when the infirmary became unfit for use for health services. The planning permission paves the way for this building to be brought back into productive use and to be maintained. It does not prevent the maternity unit coming back to Ludlow because there is an empty ward in the modern hospital block. The plans were approved yesterday afternoon, after a last minute set of objections. It is clear some of those making objections had not read the planning application. There are claims that this scheme will block ambulance access. Ambulances will not be obstructed. The reduction in car parking spaces is around 12 not 18. No disabled parking spaces will be affected.
Plans to convert former maternity unit at Ludlow Hospital into small business spaces
A planning application has been submitted to convert the former maternity unity at Ludlow Community Hospital to workshops and office space (22/02263/COU). The building was put up for sale last October and there was concern that it might be converted into apartments, a use that would not be compatible with the hospital uses on the site. This is good application from entrepreneurs Johnny Bergius and Ed Godrich who have been looking for a home for an adventurous concept. The plan is to host an eclectic mix of small businesses, offices, artists, craft studios, filmmakers and the like. There is also talk of a coffee roastery. We are desperately short of space for small enterprises in Ludlow. We need projects like this to allow south Shropshire’s community, culture and economy to thrive. There is no plan for managing the health estate across Ludlow. Both GP practices will need more space by […]