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Title

St. Saviour's Yard Metalspace

Proposer

Paula Gardner, Ellis Waller

Date proposed

24/08/26

Date for Decision

27/08/2026

Cost

250 a month w/ 2 months' notice to quit, potential moving van cost (~70 quid for a day)

What is being asked for

Approval to move forward with the leasing process

Why/how this will be good to have

Many members feel that keeping the metal space running is: - important as it is the primary interest of many members - easier than arranging for secure storage and its costs, and the eventual logistical issues of finding a new space with less inertia/interest - feasible, now that we have more ownership of the space and can address safety concerns (access, equipment inductions- basically, a clean start)

How does the hackspace benefit: Generally, the feeling is that while not all members use all tools actively, having access to as broad of a set of tools and workspaces possible is many members' reason for joining- see recently those such as Dan and Ned. Members in favor agree that this represents a good short-term, and good enough medium/long term option while we await the main hackspace move, with the goal to be to find a place that can accomodate both the hackspace and metalspace equipment. The short notice to vacate is especially beneficial.

Who is supporting the project

St. Saviour's yard is a smaller floorplan but is more secure (provided on-site). At least two members (Ellis and Cristian) have expressed willingness to be responsible for the potential new space and ensuring safety and function there. Fumes are not an issue as the doors to the container can remain open during use. 

general safety procedures will of course be taken such as a first aid kits and eye wash kits which will be regularly checked and I will have an accompanying paperwork folder to sign when this has been checked in regard to stock level of plasters, eye wash etc. fire extinguishers will be present and propane stored correctly also. cameras will also be present as these will be the same from the current space transferred over. there is a key safe on site so multiple person/s access will not be an issue.

floor plan will be determined as this is still an open book and would like several members input for this. I can build custom desks as I can get building materials for cheap due to my place of employmeent. A hefty fan will be provided for air flow and storage for members tools/materials will be arranged with no issue.

Comments

Ok, I wasn't signed in so couldn't comment, now I can. Thanks for putting the proposal in. Can I ask whether the rent includes VAT and utilities? And are there any restrictions on use/hours. I read the general guideline document from St Saviours and it seems quite flexible but our use is a bit unusual compared to someone selling coffees or crafts. I see we can attend the space till 11pm but during the day we would be creating noise and fumes. Is this compatible with other tenants esp if we have the door open. And are we required to have insurance? PLI or other types of insurance as I am not sure that ours will extend (I can ask). I gather that Ellis is willing to take on the lease as we have to be wary of triggering business rates if we extend our premises (Lion House).

Also, we have the cost of moving - eg van, but what about other set up? Has anyone done a layout plan? In other words do we need to build any benches etc or will what is existing fit? I can see that Ellis can get building materials. Bearing in mind that I have no real idea about what has to be fitted in (the lathe doesn’t at this point by the way). Would it be an idea to line the container to keep noise in?

I am generally in favour by the way, just have some questions, mainly about logistics and details that might affect the whole space/club.

I guess we will need to work out other details such as inductions and access, do we move the CCTV there? I would like to see that we do have proper inductions and use guidelines in the same way we do for the main space. And also logging in and out as we do with Slack - or maybe we can set up UniFi from scratch there? Although I see there is a keysafe - but still we need to know who is in and out. Is there really enough space for member storage as well as all the other gear?

Outcome

go to proposals