CENTRESPACE
In 1977, a small group of artists and craftspeople joined together to find a low-cost work space in Bristol and establish their own individual crafts and professions.
The group rented the top floor of 6 Leonard Lane. Initially ten ten individual studio spaces were created in addition to a cafe, an exhibition space and shop. They formed a Workers’ Cooperative whose Members contributed time to the management, maintenance and promotion of the centre which included shared facilities for classes and exhibitions.
Over the next few years the studios expanded, and the remaining two floors were taken over, and the Workers Cooperative became formalised as an Industrial and Provident Society called Bristol Craft and Design Centre Ltd.
In 1993 the building was bought at auction by the members for £95,000, and in 2000 the gallery moved to the large space that it currently occupies. In 2012 the name was changed to Centrespace Ltd.
We currently offer 30 studio spaces on three floors at low rent, a Gallery exhibition space, and a workshop and event space in the centre of Bristol. Owning the building has enabled Centrespace and all who participate to run this entity sustainably and independently since 1977.