Imperial Sports ground is run by South Bristol Sports Centre CIC (SBSC), a registers charity, on behalf of Bristol City Council and the local Community.
The charity SBSC is a not-for-profit single purpose charity that is solely engaged in running Imperial Ground. The stated aim of the charity is - To advance the education and health of the general public and in particular children and young people through the provision of sports, leisure and recreational facilities for the Community, so as to develop their physical and mental capacities; and other incidental or associated activities for the benefit of the Community.
The centre is primarily funded by the income from day- to- day users of the facilities. All money taken goes straight back into the centre and no money is taken away off site for Head office costs or the like. The Trustees who oversee the activities of the Charity do so for the good of the community and receive no financial reward for their efforts.
Since the creation of the charity in 2007 several million pounds have been invested in the facilities. This money has come in the form of grants and loans, from several key Partners including Resonance, Rathbones, Sport England and Bristol City Council. We continue to look to invest in the facilities with the support our partners to ensure our community has a Centre that is fit for purpose.
The charities aim is to provide accessible opportunities for sport and leisure to all members of the community. We welcome groups and teams across a whole range of activities from rugby and football to mum & baby groups to meetings. We are proud to work with our delivery partner for community sport, Bristol City FC’s Robins foundation. They run numerous sessions each week at the centre to promote sport across all sections of the community.
We are proud to be the home of several sports teams including Imperial Rugby, Imperial Football and Whitchurch JFC
John Laycock is a businessman with interests in Education and Sport. His business interests include Stage Electric Partnership Ltd, Alliance Tool Hire and the Clifton Marquee Company. Formerly a Governor of Merchants Academy,Venturers Academy and Trustee of Venturers Trust. His charitable activities include South Bristol Sports Centre and the Wallscourt Foundation. He is a former Chairman of Bristol City FC and Vice Chair of Bristol Bears (Bristol Rugby Club) and of Brandon Hire plc.; additionally, he was the first Sponsor of City Academy Bristol and was Chair of Governors there. He is a Deputy Lieutenant of Somerset and received a Doctorate from UWE for his services to Education.
A hospitality entrepreneur with over 20 years experience in this fast paced industry. I have always focused on customer service and experience all the while building friendly and efficient teams. Understanding the ever changing trends in hospitality and customers expectations requires me to always have my finger on the pulse and to be thinking ahead. I am incredibly excited and honoured to be part of the Imperial Sports Centre. My goal is to make sure that the hospitality in the Sports Centre reaches its full potential.
I am an experienced leader who has a strong track record in rapidly improving schools. For over 20 years I have worked as a senior leader in inner city Bristol and as a Headteacher in South Gloucestershire and am now a Headteacher in Wiltshire. I am also a Facilitator on the NPQH course that trains prospective Headteachers. I am a leader with drive and integrity who mixes both traditional and pioneering strategies, all cantered on supporting students to meet their potential. I am passionate about community sport and a trained secondary school PE teacher, I have spent 5 years as a previous Director of Sport and have supported the capital build of both the Whitehall Athletics track and Imperial Sports Centre. It is now a pleasure to continue to support the site and be part of its exciting future.
The Imperial Athletic Ground was a cricket ground in south Bristol owned by the Imperial Tobacco group and used by Somerset.
The first first-class match on the ground was in 1957, when Somerset played Sussex in the County Championship. From 1957 to 1966, the ground played host to 9 first-class matches, with the final first-class match held at the ground between Somerset and Hampshire.
The ground also hosted List-A matches, the first of which was between Somerset and Gloucestershire in the 1971 John Player League. Between 1971 and 1979, the ground held 8 List-A matches, the last of which was between Somerset and Gloucestershire in the 1979 John Player League.
During its existence the ground also played host to Somerset Second XI matches in the Minor Counties Championship, Second XI Championship and Second XI Trophy.Other than cricket, many hockey and football matches and championships were hosted on the Imperial Grounds.
On Saturday, 12th May 2018 tragedy struck as a fire, which was believed to have started in the sauna, destroyed the first floor at the rear of the building. It took more than 2 years to rebuild and in August 2020 the Centre finally re-opened its doors offering a brand new gym, function rooms and café/sports bar facilities.
The charity has received and is dependent on financial grants/funds and has, for many years, been supported by the following initiatives:
South Bristol Sports Centre t/a Imperial Sports Ground Company Registration Number: 05919240
11 West Town Lane, Bristol, BS14 9EA Tel: 0117 903 8681
1118018