Recent social media posts about the café space at the Bike Project have generated many comments. At the heart of these conversations is something that CCDT care about: creating opportunities for people to meet, connect and build a stronger community.
Residents have suggested a range of ideas to take place at Shopwyke Lakes, including a book swap, toy library, film nights, yoga classes, an informal meeting space and community-led events. These are all positive suggestions and reflect a genuine desire for more places where neighbours can come together.
We would like to share some additional context about the spaces and the decisions that have been made.
The Bike Project café area has been home to three independent operators since December 2024. To support their success, neither of the last two café operators were charged rent or utility costs. Despite this support, generating enough income to sustain a café has remained challenging, largely because footfall is limited and many residents understandably use the space only occasionally.
Some comments have suggested creating a volunteer-led community space instead. While this is an attractive idea, community spaces still come with costs including insurance, utilities, maintenance, cleaning and management. They also rely heavily on volunteers willing to organise activities and help run them.
To understand what residents want from community facilities, at the end of last year, a survey was delivered to every household in Shopwyke Lakes. It was also distributed online via social media channels. In total, seven residents responded who were invited to a follow-up meeting with CCDT’s Community Organiser to discuss ideas and opportunities. Unfortunately, no one attended these meetings. This highlights one of the challenges many community organisations face: turning good ideas into sustainable projects requires ongoing involvement from local people.
It is also worth noting that CCDT does not receive any direct income from residents to operate the buildings or pitches at Shopwyke Lakes. The costs of maintaining, insuring, heating, staffing and operating these spaces are met through a combination of grants, fundraising, venue hire income, commercial activities and charitable support.
Comments about estate maintenance, overflowing bins, grass cutting and the appearance of some areas have also been noted. Responsibility for these services is shared between several organisations and landowners, and not all areas fall under CCDT’s management. Nevertheless, we will continue to work with partners and help direct concerns to the appropriate organisations where possible.
We also recognise feedback that the café space at the Bike Project space can feel hidden. When this building was offered to CCDT, the plans and layout had already been agreed upon, so the Bike Project is working as best we can with the space they have.
We hope the recent discussion demonstrates something positive: people care deeply about their community and want spaces where residents can come together. We welcome that passion and would encourage anyone interested in helping to create new activities, clubs, events, or community initiatives to get involved. Successful community spaces are created not just by buildings, but by the people who bring them to life.
CCDT remain committed to supporting the community, growing opportunities for local people and ensuring that the facilities available continue to deliver lasting benefits for residents.
Have feedback you’d like to share? Please email us here.
