Project overview: FCH aims to acquire, restore, and operate the historic Freeland Methodist Church (“The Chapel”) as a community hub. The first phase will feature a café, combined with a flexible community space. Depending on how the project evolves, FCH may develop additional community services (recognising the strong interest of a shop among community members) in a later phase of the project.
The building: FCH has commissioned and reviewed building and structural surveys that make recommendations about remedial work; these costs are included in the refurbishment plans and overall budget.
Community support: Extensive village consultation shows strong support, with 70% favouring a café/shop model and 65% supporting a café/community space. Over 100 individuals expressed willingness to volunteer and/or expressed interest in offering pledges of financial support.
Governance: FCH operates as a charitable Community Benefit Society, governed by an elected Board with expertise in company formation, project management, finance, legal and community development.
Community benefit: The Chapel project will restore a historic building with significant heritage value constructed in 1805, provide employment opportunities, and work alongside existing businesses to provide a flexible, family friendly community space for events, workshops, and social activities.
Operating model: FCHS will run The Chapel using a tenancy model which is designed to combine benefits for the community and long-term financial sustainability. The tenancy model ensures that the long-term stewardship of the building remains with the community, while enabling the tenant to focus on operating a successful café business. Rental income will cover FCH’s responsibility for maintaining the building and will generate a modest surplus to support wider community objectives and build a share fund. To promote long-term sustainability, the lease will include mechanisms to adjust rent levels according to the underlying profitability of the business, ensuring that both tenant and FCH share appropriately in the café’s success.
The tenant: FCH will recruit an experienced, motivated tenant with the necessary entrepreneurial skills, operational expertise, and customer focus to build and sustain a vibrant café business. In addition to commercial competence, the tenant will be expected to share FCH’s commitment to community benefit, actively supporting the broader aims of the project, complementing existing businesses, and contributing to the long-term vitality of village life.
Funding: The capital required to purchase and refurbish The Chapel is currently estimated to be £339,000, comprising: £150,000 in community shares (new target); £70,000 in supported share funding; and £119,000 from grants and benefactors.
Next steps: Share pledge launch (February 2026), building acquisition (March 2026), tenant selection (March 2026), grant applications (April-June 2026), refurbishment (Spring/Summer 2026), and opening (Autumn 2026).