A petition with 1,835 signatures urges Reading Borough Council to protect Brock Keep and support OHOS’s cultural role amidst building’s sale.
Reading Borough Council started to sell the building, prompting a petition to save OHOS. The petition, with 1,835 signatures online, calls for protecting Brock Keep. People also sent the council over 100 letters and emails.
The petition characterizes Brock Keep as a historic and cultural spot. It also requests the council support OHOS’s cultural role. The ultimate goal is securing Brock Keep for the community.
Susanne Clausen, a Fine Art professor, presented the petition at a council meeting. She stated that the sale threatens OHOS, its artists, and partners. They submitted a cultural bid for Brock Keep, highlighting its importance.
Clausen acknowledged Reading’s money problems and the potential benefit of selling assets. However, she believes Brock Keep is culturally important. She also recognizes the council values culture for wellbeing and believes Reading needs more artist spaces for creative work.
Adele Barnett-Ward responded to the petition, stating that the Keep needs long term investment, which the council cannot currently afford. She mentioned OHOS and Reading Space heavily benefit from council subsidies.
The council has assisted OHOS in seeking funding, but they have not been successful. A recent bid was rejected by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Now, the council invited freehold sale bids, opening the opportunity to private bidders and the voluntary sector. The existing occupants’ ability to stay depends on the buyer.
As the sale progresses, the council will show current occupants other properties. The council values OHOS’s contribution to Reading and aims to support their presence in Reading’s cultural scene. The full council meeting occurred on January 28.