Crowdfunding is under way to newly furnish a double-decker bus, which hopes to host community pop-up events across Greater Manchester.
Event company Commonplace is raising money via crowdfunding to re-design their double-decker red bus, which holds an event space for community and not-for-profits organisations.
The company want to raise £5,000 to get the design started.
Lucy Cooke, co-founder and director of Commonplace, said: “We are really passionate about building a beautiful and functional space.
“We want to make people go ‘wow’ when they get on board.”
Commonplace is a mobile community event space which started operation in May, housed in a hired double-decker bus.
So far, the company has hosted events including restaurants, food workshops, creative workshops, community fun days, talks, music and even a pop-up spa.
They are currently working with design team, you and i, who have done shop and restaurant fit-outs across Manchester.
Our amazing design team have written all about working with us on our #crowdfunder campaign. Read all about it! https://t.co/PEKkvzhqjw
— Commonplace (@commonplaceuk) December 6, 2017
Lucy Cooke said: “We will also be running workshops for people to get involved in the fit out of the bus aswell, including anything from making door knobs and stools, to soft furnishings and seat covers.”
Commonplace hope to have the bus complete by autumn next year and plan to run three to four events a week aboard the bus.
The co-founder and director added: “We looked for nearly 2 years for the ideal space to launch a new community venue – everything from listed warehouse buildings, shiny new conversions and shipping containers.
“The bus idea was suggested to us at a consultation event we hosted, and it suddenly became an obvious choice.
“The mobility of the bus gives us ultimate flexibility and means we can take events to different audiences, we believe this makes our social impact even greater as we access people who might not ordinarily attend a pop up restaurant or talk experience.”
Lucy works alongside Roxanna Locke who started their Commonplace journey in 2014. In 2015, they had secured funding from UnLtd & O2 Think Big, to complete a number of community consultations.
As 2016 followed, Stagecoach Manchester had a bus available to donate which started operation in May this year.
“Since running events from May this year we quickly realised we could do with sprucing the bus up a little more. Climate control is a particular issue as the bus is like a tin can, super hot in the summer and freezing cold in winter.
“The crowdfunder will enable us to install climate control, electricity, an accessible middle door and some beautiful design features making it practical and stylish!”
The bus will also include peg systems and special hanging units to store out tables and chairs, combined with beautiful colour-ways and textures for the flooring and ceiling.
If the crowdfunder is successful, Commonplace will have full plans for the bus space drawn up in the new year, which they plan to share for everyone to see.
Lucy also teased: “We have some exciting (but secret) plans for a new city centre location for the bus in the new year which will hopefully mean we will reach new audiences! But we can’t tell you anymore about that yet!”
The crowdfunding page has 10 days left, ending on December 18th.
10 DAYS TO GO! WE REPEAT 10 DAYS TO GO! No we aren't stressed, promise! We know we will be as happy as Cliff Richard on his summer holiday on 18th December! You can make it happen by pledging here: https://t.co/KW39ACfpXQ #getonboard pic.twitter.com/nECmNCRUGh
— Commonplace (@commonplaceuk) December 8, 2017
Commonplace are offering a photo in the driver’s seat (complete with hat) and a private dinner party for 10 on board the bus, in support of the crowdfunder.
You can contribute their crowdfunder here, by pledging to help their designs get under way!
Make sure you follow Commonplace and their journey via their Twitter and Facebook page and use the hashtag #getonboard.
Commonplace Bus: The Big Conversion Crowdfunder from Commonplace on Vimeo.
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