12th January 2012

Bristol Deaf Centre could be sold

The 127-year-old Bristol Centre for Deaf People could be sold to cover a £700,000 shortfall in its pension fund payment.

An emergency general meeting held a few days before Christmas heard that the trustees of the centre are considering selling the building to a housing association, to reduce the huge budget deficit.

Members were told the centre could be sold for around £600,000 to Elim Housing Association, who plan to demolish the centre to build new houses and offices. The association will offer a space in the new building for the Centre to rent.

Trustee Elaine Taylor, who chaired the meeting, explained the centre was becoming run-down, and that members are wary of visiting the building at night due to unknown people hanging around. She added members could vote to sell the building and move to another building in the city.

The huge pension deficit was blamed on the global economic crisis, and a duty to pay a large sum to the Avon Pension Fund by 1st March.

Members and trustees will make a decision at the next annual general meeting due to held on Wednesday 8th February.

We reported last September that the centre was facing a cash crisis after Bristol City Council withdrew its financial support.

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