The Frome Woodworkers Cooperative update

Just got home from the first meeting of the nucleus, or first seven. Our plan to create a coop grows increasingly exciting. We looked at a massive unit on Tuesday to work out costs and spaces needed.  A fair diversity of differing skills to create the go to place for any wood project needs doing in the area. An initial invitation process of selected people of known talent to be followed by our first press release to get local businesses located together splitting costs on overheads. I'm kean to seal off the machine shop full of new kit, up to date panel saw and CNC router and four sided cutter. finding and employing g a highly skilled machinist to operate the cNc router and maintain all stuff to perfection feeding us makers. Two lads make timber framed buildings, the scale of the premises permitting full size lay outs. Another guy does exhibition joinery, again assembly before site would fault find earlier. These bigger space users obviously paying relative rents. Teams could form for large one off projects then return to our private one off work. Designing a system of space division allowing privacy yet with the capacity for building stage sets. Having a machinist and up to date kit would easily double our income. Clearly each individuals vision differs and amassing a knobhead free crew is crucial. Once the originators are established and the offer to join goes public we will have to select the best. People who can bring the most to the project. The premises we veiwed lends itself to a mezzanine floor for clean work and office. Drawing area and computer room. A secretary may be a decent assert as would a cad expert.
A key factor for me personally is establishing a teaching component. Running courses may be supervised by someone but all of us could run courses in our specialist realms. Guest speakers coming in to inspire students plus the boon of them seeing professional businesses operating. Fine craft work coming together inspiring them to see how a business can run successfully.
An apprenticeship system whereby the apprentices spend time working with all the different businesses could deliver a fantastic grounding for youths attracted to woodwork.
Grants are available though seem invariably to require match funding. I have some personal fund raising ideas though you can hire professionals expert in grant and loan sourcing. Making it the finest kitted outfit on the area is crucial. A specialist machinist could supply cNc componentry to other businesses and a component solids for smaller set ups needing a cutting list done.
Early stages but eight people are now committed. The next stage of selected invite to establish the skill base is unsurpassed. Finally open application and interview to co plebe the greatest woodwork shop in our area.