RESTORING PIPPBROOK HOUSE FOR COMMUNITY USE

CHiP is a Community Interest Company that passionately believes that Pippbrook House should be retained in public hands for the enjoyment of future generations.

​

After some years of campaigning and development proposals from CHiP, and following Mole Valley District Council's Scrutiny Committee meeting of 15th Sept 2020, MVDC's Cabinet arrived at a final decision on the evening of 16th Sept 2020 to PROCEED with granting a long-term lease contract for Pippbrook House to CHiP and its development and operations partner, RJK.

​

Built between 1856 and 1858, Pippbrook House in Dorking was designed by the distinguished architect George Gilbert Scott. With its richly decorated interior and painted ceilings, Pippbrook House is now a Grade II* listed building, a distinction that English Heritage bestows on only a very small proportion of listed properties.

Our aim is to see this fabulous heritage asset not only restored to its former glory but put back in use for the benefit of the community.

​

​

​

TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE HOUSE

(by Horizon Imaging Ltd)

​

PIPPFEST & PIPPBROOK HOUSE

We held the 5th PippFest in 2019 and over 2,000 attendees demonstrated the local level of love and support for Pippbrook House.

​

We want to socialise the idea of using Pippbrook House to encourage and incubate entrepreneurs in our community – a hub that brings people together to interact with local businesses, artists, wellbeing practitioners – and to learn from each other…

​

A REAL LOCAL NEED

The ONS Annual Population Survey indicates that the numbers of self employed (i.e. not employees) had risen from 6,300 to 8,700 in 2015-16. Our District has substantially higher rates of self employment (as a % of total employment) than the national average; 16.3% compared with 10.2%.*

​

Pippbrook House can be used by our local self-employed community as a place to work, network and hold meetings, as well as to find opportunities to learn new skills and participate in leisure and wellbeing activities.

​

*Source: MVDC Economic Development Needs Assessment

​

CREATING A COMMUNITY SPACE

The MVDC Economic Development Needs Assessment concludes that there is an opportunity to encourage local startups and support for the self-employed in the area.

​

More than simply a retail and leisure facility, Dorking needs a hub that encourages entrepreneurism, start-ups and local networking:

​

• Local therapists and healthcare practitioners need professional, affordable and flexible therapy spaces.

• Affordable, flexible co-working spaces and meeting rooms.

• Arts and Performing Arts Spaces.

• Training, Coaching and Educational Spaces.

• Events Spaces

PRECEDENTS FOR SUCCESS

We propose a ‘tried and tested’ model for the project; a blend of commercial community workspaces and facilities successfully employed by:

• The Royal Academy

• Peckham Levels

• TechHub

• WeWork

• Workspace

• Boxpark

A VISION FOR THE COMMUNITY

Despite the development limitations of a Grade II* Listed building, we passionately believe we can create a site of great commercial and community value.

​

We take our inspiration from The Keeper's House at the Royal Academy, The Hospital Club and The Ned in London – amazing venues for specific communities of people in buildings of architectural value.

CONTACT US

Fill in the form if you want to help, or have any enquiries about our project.

​

This also adds you to our (occasional) newsletter mailing list. We won't spam you, and if you don't like the newsletter, you can unsubscribe at any time.