Chinty Turnbull, the café owner who vowed to Buy Back Keswick, Brick By Brick, has joined forces with a charity whose mission it is to provide affordable housing in the town.
Keswick Community Housing Trust has agreed to manage all the funds raised by Chinty’s campaign, putting it to use in new and existing projects aimed at combating the rise of holiday lets and second homes.
And Chinty – who admits she is “no good with money” – says she is delighted with the partnership, which will bring experience and direction to an off-the-cuff campaign which became a worldwide phenomenon almost overnight.
“The trust have been doing tremendous work for many years, providing homes for people in Keswick who wouldn’t normally have a chance of affording to live here,” she said.
“When they approached me and suggested we work together, it made perfect sense and I’m thrilled that the campaign is in such good hands.”
The 55-year-old mum, who was born and raised in Keswick, started her campaign in response to the growing number of properties in the town that are being snapped up by developers.
Her own café is in a building which recently went on the market for £850,000, and initially the plan was for 850 supporters to donate £1,000 each to buy it back.
But since Chinty’s story featured in The Keswick Reminder earlier this month, the campaign has gone viral on social media – while Chinty herself has been interviewed by the likes of Radio 4 and The Guardian.
KCHT chairman Bill Bewley said: “By drawing attention to the lack of local housing for local people, Chinty has struck a nerve among the people of Keswick and beyond.
“I think it’s wonderful that we can just trust each other to do what is necessary to improve the situation.”
Immediately after launching her campaign, Chinty received pledges of over £64,000. A crowdfunding page set up this week to raise £750,000 has so far reached almost £7,500, while an online raffle to win VIP tickets to watch Liverpool play Manchester City next season closes at the end of June.
Meanwhile Chinty has also received a signed Carlisle United football which she plans to raffle in her café on St John’s Street, with tickets priced at £5.
