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Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Library Meeting and revenue ideas needed


The next meeting of the Friends of Stroud Green Library (FoSGL), just across the footbridge by Harringay station,  will take place on Wednesday, July 13, from 6.15-7pm. A meeting has also been scheduled for Saturday, September 3, 10-10.45am.
At next week's meeting we would like to adopt a constitution so please try and come along.
We are also looking for innovative ideas to raise income using the upstairs rooms of the library which have been renovated. They are currently available for hire by the hour but this is not raising much money. The head of the library service at Haringey has intimated that she would like to see more income generated or she may look to rent out the space as a whole to a private or commercial client.
So we are looking for ideas to raise several thousand a year and make the space earn its keep. One idea on the table is to set up a local 'business hub' for freelancers and people who work from home on an occasional basis with a very low annual fee for unlimited use of the space. This would need to be a heavily subscribed service to make the figures stack up.
Another idea is to rent out one of the rooms - which is separate from the rest - to a commercial venture to bring in rental income.
Other ideas are welcome, ideally with some idea of how they would work. Please respond on this forum or come to the meeting.

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Permalink Reply by Antoinette on July 8, 2011 at 14:22

You won't get commercial/business meetings booked where you are - so I would concentrate on approaching community groups who would want a regular weekly slot eg; scouts, knitting circles, Slimming World, book clubs, that sort of thing.  You might be able to let out the space commercially, but there are planning and building regs to consider as well as the liability issues of freeholder insurance etc.

Permalink Reply by Helen Riley on July 8, 2011 at 17:02

Thanks for the suggestions. I imagine Slimming World is happy to pay for space but book clubs and knitting circles? Would people be happy to pay to attend classes / groups like that? There are free knitting classes in libraries for example. And do community groups have any money at the moment? Is anyone out there looking for space? be glad to hear from you.

It would be for the library management to tease out any planning etc issues, but the space has been renovated and has been rented out privately in the past. More ideas welcome.

Permalink Reply by ElleCarumba on July 8, 2011 at 18:12

when I was a nipper, my more unfortunate friends were enrolled in afterschool Kumon maths lessons which took place in a room rented from our local library.

 

Any commercial extra curricular activities for kids might work well- French lessons (La Joile Ronde for example), music lessons (if the rooms are fairly soundproofed), tutoring etc.

 

Yoga/pilates classes? 

 

Permalink Reply by L F T Snowflake on July 8, 2011 at 20:27

Not sure if I can get to the meeting, though I will pencil it in.  However, might have a wander over in the morning and have a look round if thats ok. 

 

Been involved with small charities and fundraising for just about all of my adult life.  Thats a nice place. I am sure I can come up with an idea or two. 

Permalink Reply by L F T Snowflake on July 13, 2011 at 21:18

Went round on Saturday and this evening. 

 

What a terrific set of rooms! 

 

There is one room that would be ideal as an office for one or two small start ups sharing the space. I am thinking, a designer, perhaps an accountant, a graphic artist someone like that.  

 

The other linked rooms would be idea for things like rehearsal room for a masonic lodge or a small drama group and weekly fair type activities, such as craft fairs, artists markets, collectors fairs, that kind of thing.  

 

During the week in the day time, perhaps a help group during the day, again some kind of once a week business (Kumon etc). The other thing would be a freelancers forum, say once a month. All the local freelancers, writers, etc could get together for a social once a month. 

 

then of course, there are poetry societies, writers circles, of course the residents association and local neighbourhood watch people. Lots and lots of things this space could be used for. 

 

I'll see you at the next meeting. 

Permalink Reply by Helen Riley on July 14, 2011 at 9:42

Yes, thanks Veggie, there were lots of good idea. Does anyone have have contacts in the Kumon / Weightwatchers / language schools - basically franchaises which will expect to pay for space? Or any other contacts / ideas?

Permalink Reply by Kit on July 14, 2011 at 12:51
My writing group voted to move out when its library venue wanted to charge for meeting space a few months back. Struggling writers and all that. But I know a Haringey dance teacher who was looking for local space to run Egyptian dance classes a couple of years ago, Helen. Will PM you the contacts.
Permalink Reply by L F T Snowflake on July 14, 2011 at 13:17
I think you will find that the rates for meetings during opening hours for community groups are very low. Check with he librarian, but I think its around £10.00 an hour, which actually works out quite well. I'd join a writers circle if it was there, because I am just around the corner.
Dee Toth-JonesPermalink Reply by Dee Toth-Jones on July 19, 2011 at 16:01

Hi Helen, I would be interested in renting space for weekly meetings depending on when it's available. I've sent you an invite to connect to discuss further. 

Permalink Reply by Helen Riley on July 22, 2011 at 15:44

Hi, if anyone wants to book space please contact the librarian Rebecca at Rebecca.Gediking@haringey.gov.uk, tel 0208 489 8776 and she will be able to give you rates etc. There are several rooms.

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