Words: Paul Chapman
Images: George Krousti
Coffee with Simon Redding, a trustee from Monkey Park, the community hub on Chester Street.
Monkey Park has four main offerings:
Monkey Park Works - a co-working space for businesses to rent from just £25 to £95 a month,
Community Cafe - for coffee and cake,
The Hub - where the community engages and innovates through activities, workshops and meetings, creating a 'Better Brampton' ,
Cycle Workshop - for cycle repairs and sales of recycled bikes, for people looking for cheap green transport", explains Simon.
The workspaces, above the cafe on the first floor, are available from £6.50 for a day pass. Monthly membership starts at £25 per month for access one day a week and full membership is £95 a month, for full time use. This gives you:
A shared workspace without the hassle and expense of a lease,
Flexible access from 8am to 6pm (outside these times by arrangement),
A social space, where you can work together or quieter spaces, where you can hide away,
Superfast broadband, a secure locker, tea/coffee and A4/A3 printing and scanning.
There is also a private meeting room available to rent at affordable rates.
"The space enables people to share ideas and come together, which is good for the businesses, the community and the local economy.
"If you need a photographer, regular workspace user George can help. Not sure how to build a website, we have members who can help. It's great to see the collaboration between people, and this really supports our ethos, of keeping money local and supporting local people and the economy."
"Many of the people using the spaces are young business people who are starting up, here they can get established before moving on. Others use the space rather than sitting in isolation, working from home. A bit of social interaction goes a long way to improving productivity and mental health.
"We can provide members with access to a whole range of business support services" adds Simon. "It's about growing, nurturing and supporting talent and creating a hub for change."
"Your money is going to a good cause: the workspace is run by a social enterprise & all profits are used to subsidise the community hub & other community services" finishes Simon.
Check out the website monkeypark.org.uk/works for prices and details of workspace membership email manager@monkeypark.org.uk to arrange a visit... or just call in for a coffee and a slice of cake, you can be sure of a warm welcome, the cafe is open Wed to Sat 10:30am to 4:30pm.
Friends of Monkey Park
A group of Brampton & Ashgate residents have come together to improve and maintain the Chester Street Park.
The Friends of Monkey Park is a newly-established, volunteer run community group facilitated and hosted by Monkey Park Community Hub on Chester Street. The aim is to bring local people together to improve and maintain Chester Street Park (a.k.a. Monkey Park).
The main aims of the group are:
To apply for grant funding and raise funds, to replace the old and dangerous play area with new play equipment
To work with the local council, police and community to reduce key issues such as littering, dog fouling and antisocial behaviour
To arrange events that bring people into the park
To act as guardians of the park
The first meeting of the group took place early March 2019 at Monkey Park Cafe. Local councillors and members of Chesterfield Borough Council’s Green Spaces team attended the event.
Kevin Walker, Director at Monkey Park Community Interest Company (CIC), said: “We welcome everyone to our meetings and are keen to hear from all points of view. We want to create a park that is open and accessible to the whole community and would love to hear your views.”
For anyone wishing to get involved with the group, they can be contacted via:
Email: admin@friendsofmonkeypark.org.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/friendsofmonkeypark
Twitter: twitter.com/friendsofmonkey
The group are actively seeking donations and raffle prizes to help fund the project. They have a crowdfunding campaign running at: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/friendsofmonkeypark for anyone wishing to donate.