*Press Release* 
Phoenix Cultural Centre Secures New Temporary Home at 32 Goldsworth Road
Phoenix Cultural Centre CIC is pleased to announce that it will be moving into a new temporary space at 32 Goldsworth Road in Woking. The space is set to open its doors in Summer 2023, with plans that it will be the centre’s home for at least the next 2 years ahead of EcoWorld redeveloping the site.The 2,000 sqm space, which will be let on a peppercorn rent, will be refurbished by EcoWorld to make the space accessible and fit for purpose. The space will be an exciting new venue for the Woking community, housing the Fiery Bird Live Music venue which will host live entertainment for up to 250 people.
Phoenix Cultural Centre CIC will also hire workspaces for social enterprise startups, and event spaces for community, cultural and health workshops and events and activities for all ages.Phoenix Cultural Centre CIC is a non-profit, community-led organisation dedicated to supporting and promoting community cohesion & wellbeing, opportunities in the arts and the creative economy in Woking Borough and beyond. The centre has been providing a platform for emerging artists and cultural practitioners to showcase their work and connect with audiences since 2010, from original music showcases, paid busking, festivals, family days, cultural events, gigs, health and wellbeing events, workshops, and poetry nights.
Phoenix Cultural Centre CIC has plans for an exciting programme in the new venue with UK touring acts, local music and comedy nights of diverse genres and their own workshops and events. They will also offer training and employment opportunities, reinstate partnerships working with SEN adults, colleges and widen their outreach programme with the intention to be a space where other organisations and groups can widen their impact, help people develop ideas and run activities for visitors all ages.The organisation is also in talks with several partners interested in using the space, including The Jam exhibition, which, following its successful run at Somerset House in London, the Cunard Building in Liverpool and Brighton will be taking space at 32 Goldsworth Road to house the biggest exhibition to date encompassing not only The Jam, but also The Style Council and Paul Weller’s solo career.
Phoenix Cultural Centre CIC exists to enable the community to be part of a vibrant and inclusive cultural hub that fosters creativity, innovation, and social engagement and celebrates diversity, promotes dialogue, and inspires positive change. Drawing on their experience as residents and in community development, learning and the arts as well as working with other local and UK wide community ventures, Phoenix Cultural Centre CIC hopes to demonstrate the benefits a dedicated space like this can bring to people’s wellbeing, health, and economy.
Elaine McGinty, CEO of Phoenix Cultural Centre CIC, said: “We are thrilled that EcoWorld are able to provide us with this generous temporary space right across the street from the tiny venue where we started out. We’re excited to be able to continue and increase our mission of supporting and promoting the arts and equality in opportunity in the local community and beyond. Woking is a diverse town with a rich cultural heritage made by the communities who are born or travel here to make their homes, work or socialise and we want everyone to be part of making this happen, creative expression is a human behaviour not a skill for a few people. This is an exciting and major step to getting Woking the music venue and grassroots cultural centre its community deserves.”
Lisa Gledhill, Managing Director at EcoWorld, said: “EcoWorld has a long-term commitment to Woking. We are delighted to have been able to provide Phoenix Cultural Centre with a temporary home which will enable them to continue their vital work in the community. We believe that investing in culture and the arts is an important part of creating sustainable communities, and we are committed to continue supporting and collaborating with organisations like the Phoenix Cultural Centre in their efforts to uplift and leave a lasting positive impact in Woking.”
The Phoenix Cultural Centre CIC will provide further updates and details on the new space in the coming months. For more information, please visit the centre’s website at www.phoenixculturalcentre.org.uk.