Meet our colourful neighbours – Rock House second birthday

 

Rock House Tenants Cooperative Lettings go 'Into the Black' – speakers announce goals for the next phase.

 
 

The team from design cooperative Wave had a great mingle at the ‘Into the Black’ birthday bash with other businesses and tenants at Rock House in Hastings.

It wasn’t just another office party! The Rock House Tenants Cooperative is an emerging community benefit society and hopes to take over the Power to Change shares in White Rock Neighbourhood Ventures and become one-third owners of the building.

Jess Steele, David Chater and Adam Clements gave short speeches to summarise all of the progress while guests enjoyed bubbly indoors and rummy hot chocs outside. To date, all eight floors have been refurbished and are fully let.

 
Fire-eater in front of wall graffiti
Fire eating performers at the Rock House 2nd birthday party
 

“A great party”

Blues singer Ella Clarke was supported by Marie White performing short sets in the reception area. Ben White was on the decks, and Sam Brown played violin. KiKi LaHula performed fire hoop dancing on rollerskates downstairs. Lily Fortune gave a sparky angle grinding show in the basement, followed by fire-eating by UK Africa Acrobats.

BBE records opened their space for chilling out, and David Hinton of Hastings Works generously opened his flat for a packed house party with delicious cocktails.

Later, Jess Steele tweeted “It was a great party @Rock_Hse (or at least I enjoyed it a lot!). Celebrating a really strong self-managed community business that proves you can do good and make a *decent* profit.”

 
 

Looking fabulous

No one owns the alley, so the Alley Association is run by a steering group of freeholders, tenants and other interested parties. Despite the cold snap, it was a dry night, and it looked fabulous!

Longer-term use of the basement event space will include a bakery, kitchen and food shop. White Rock Neighbourhood Ventures was awarded a significant grant from Coastal Communities Fund including £75k toward improvement works to the Alley.