Ruksak 45218 in Trowbridge looking to find new home

Ruksak 45218 and South West Wiltshire MP Dr Andrew Murrison both occupy offices at Bratton Place Business Centre on the White Horse Business Park in Trowbridge.

They have both been given just two weeks’ notice to leave their premises on the White Horse Business Park by Friday, June 14 due to the closure of the building by its current owner.

Dr Murrison said: “It looks like I’m out on my ear. I know Ruksak 45218 very well and they do good work. I will do everything I can to help them.”

Richard Culverhouse, one of the Ruksak 45218 trustees, said the news that the building was being decommissioned came as a “complete shock” to the trustees and volunteers of the Trowbridge-based charity.

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Ruksak trustee Ricard Culverhouse has appealed for space to store the charity items after being given two weeks to vacate Bratton Place. Image: Trevor Porter 77092-5 (Image: Trevor Porter 77092-5)

“We were totally sideswiped. The news totally came out of the blue and will cause enormous worry to the professionals who depend on them to help those residents who need it the most.”

Mr Culverhouse said businesses and tenants of Bratton Place Business Centre were given the bad news by e-mail. He is now calling for help in solving Ruksak’s accommodation needs.

“This would be a difficult timescale for some businesses there to relocate but for anyone who has used Ruksak’s services will know we have a massive problem to solve trying to find a new home for all our vital stock items.”

Ruksak has 4,000 sq ft of items stored at Bratton Place that it will now need to move. Image: Trevor Porter 77092-3 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Sarah Ramsey, of Mayfield Asset and Property Management Ltd in London, wrote to Ruksak 45218 for and on behalf of their client Trowbridge Park Ltd.

She said: “I regret to inform you that our client, Trowbridge Park LTD, will shortly enter into administration and as a result of this unforeseen circumstance, I must formally serve you notice to terminate your licence agreement to occupy Bratton Place. 

“As per the centre’s terms and conditions, the licensor/owner can terminate your licence on a minimum 2 weeks’ notice, and as such please accept this email that your agreement will end on Friday 14 June 2024. 

“Unfortunately, our client sadly can no longer maintain the costs of services within the building and will therefore shut down the premises upon your vacation.”

Ruksak 45218 provides an essential stopgap service providing items for those people who find themselves in desperate need due to all manner of reasons ranging from domestic violence, sudden homelessness, and other changes in circumstance for individuals and families normally resident in Wiltshire.

Volunteer Martin Gailey at the Ruksak store with some of the charity’s donated items. Image: Trevor Porter 77092 -4 (Image: Trevor Porter)

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The charity works primarily with professionals such as social workers, health care professionals, teachers, and pastoral care managers or anyone with delegated care responsibilities.

By making a referral they are then able to source essential items for their clients in an emergency that would be difficult or impossible to source elsewhere.

Richard added: “We currently are looking for premises in the immediate vicinity of Trowbridge to accommodate our stock.

“We need a large open space with parking, rather than just commercial office space, for all our clothes rails and display tables. We need room for our visitors to be able to browse comfortably.

“We currently use a space of about 4,000 square feet and would be ideally looking for something near this, to maintain our mode of operation. But we can use a smaller space and adapt how we work, so any offers would be gratefully received.”

If you can help, contact Richard Culverhouse at culver1947@aol.com.