The Genesis Trust has revealed its plans to develop a building in Walcot Street into a sophisticated shop selling stylish upcycled furniture, a training workshop and offices for staff.
Bath & North East Somerset Council is supporting the charity to secure a permanent home in the city, and to that end is working towards a community asset transfer of the building to the trust.
Cllr David Bellotti, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “Over the years, the Genesis Trust has moved from place to place.
“The Council understands that with a permanent location the trust will be able to provide much better services for local people.”
The Genesis Trust was set up 20 years ago in Bath and is a charity which helps both homeless and vulnerable people in the city via nine different projects.
It runs Bath Foodbank , a nightly soup run and two other projects providing hot meals to people.
It also provides practical advice, emotional support and educational courses to help clients move on with their lives into housing and ultimately the job market.
Chair of Trustees at the Genesis Trust, Sir Peter Heywood said: “We are looking forward to having a presence on Walcot Street.
“We want the building to be a training and creative hub for our clients.
“It will also provide a much needed base for our fundraising and administrative staff as they are presently in various locations across the city.
“Although Genesis is a charity, the commercial aspect of the new building will not be a charity shop. It will be a social enterprise which we hope will attract sophisticated shoppers to a homeware store in keeping with the artistic environment of Bath’s artisan quarter.
“The shop will be staffed mainly by clients who are trying to get back into the job market, providing them with valuable work experience.”
The Trust is now also seeking planning permission for the new building.
