Multi use for the community with core adult ed focus

Upton House should remain a community asset with accessibility for everyone. Having said that some of the activities will clearly need to generate sufficient income for sustainability.

A focus on learning particularly linked to arts/cultural/historical topics would attract visitors and facility users to the building. Fee paying day or extended courses for adults would generate income. Speakers/tutors for courses that participants have to pay for could be offered the opportunity of offering their services for free on the basis that they are making a donation to the upkeep/improvement of the house and its facilities. It would be more transparent and attractive as a concept if an arms length 'friends of Upton House' trust could be set up rather than any funds raised being passed to BPC Council.

Not all courses would necessarily need to be charged for as some opportunities for learning should be open for all but where it warrants (by virtue of speaker, topic or popularity) a significant charge could be made. Think how much it costs to go to a concert for a couple of hours! A day course could be in the region of 5 hours long. Rooms not being used for courses could be hired out for business meetings/conferences.

With this concept the grounds would remain open and accessible for everyone as they are at present as the activities wouldn't clash.

If courses were held during the week they would not clash with the building being used as an income generating wedding or venue at weekends.

It would be great to involve young people on apprenticeships to work on buildings and grounds maintenance as a part of their training. This would also benefit the general maintenance of the site and its facilities.