Community Share Offer to launch JUNE 2 with public event at Guildhall

[OliverH]

The Big Bath City Bid will officially launch its community share offer prospectus on Tuesday June 2, with a public event in the Banqueting Room of the Guildhall in Bath.

The event will kick off an action-packed three-month fundraising campaign during which people from Bath and beyond will be able to subscribe to the community share issue and support the bid’s aim of turning Bath City FC into a community-owned club.

BBCB chair Jon Bickley said:

“This is an historic opportunity to revitalise Bath City FC and create a community club that is truly at the heart of the city. With the best of Bath invested and involved, we can build the football club our city deserves: sustainable, forward-looking and brimming with fresh ideas and enthusiasm.”

There will be a formal presentation of the prospectus by the bid team and an audience Q&A. Prospective investors will get to take home a copy of the share prospectus or even sign up to buy shares on the night.

Former Hull City MD and local businessman Nick Thompson is leading the development of the business plan and share prospectus.

Nick said:

“We know that we are asking for a big investment from the local community – people will rightly expect to see a solid and sustainable business plan before they buy shares. We are confident that we have the right approach to return the club to profitability and look forward to publishing the prospectus on June 2.”

The event will start at 6.30pm and is free and open to all. It will feature the first screening of a new promotional film supporting the bid commissioned by the iconic film director and diehard Bath City fan, Ken Loach.

VIPs from the world of business, sport, government, education, philanthropy and the arts will be invited. The choice of the Guildhall as a venue reflects the Big Bath City Bid team’s belief that Bath City FC can play a central role in Bath’s social fabric.

[comrade powell]

Just to underline what Oliver has posted above, the event is free and open to all.

The Bid team would like to get an idea of numbers attending in advance. If you hope to attend, please go to our website at...

http://www.bigbathcitybid.org.uk/

and confirm by entering your name and email address.

Many thanks

[Marc Monitor]

Hello all, here is the Facebook page for the launch night to state your interest and share widely - https://www.facebook.com/events/836028009808147/

[Marc Monitor]

Just to say that there are still spaces for this, it really needs a lot of actual supporters there and, contrary to what has been previously suggested, the minimum share price is £250 not £500.

Marc Thomas, Big Bath City Bid team member

[Mark Tanner]

It's getting exciting now!

http://www.mtannersports.com/holloway-and-dodd-back-the-bid/

[comrade powell]

A request to all forum members....

We have contacted all Society and SC members who are online about the Launch Event and phoned some who aren't. If you know any supporters who have not got email access, please flag up the event. We want as many City supporters there as possible!

And there's an ex Millwall legend coming...

http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Ian-Holloway-Jason-Dodd-guests-honour-Big-Bath/story-26597253-detail/story.html

[Luton Roman]

I've seen the t shirts and badges but will there be other merchandise available such as car stickers, mugs etc that can be purchased during the next 3 months to keep the publicity going and offer people easy and immediate ways to contribute.

[Marc Monitor]

We have been talking about this and, after Tuesday, I expect we will be looking at other ways of publicising the bid. As usual, any suggestions gratefully accepted especially if people are in a position to get get stuff made, printed, promoted publicised etc.

[yuffie]

Given we have not had a unique sponsor on the back of the teams shirts since the 2006-07 Southern League winning season (my, then, unofficial website, though I don't take all the credit for the success that year) how about seeing if the club would print the bid logo on the back of the 15/16 shirts?

[Dave]

We'd look pretty silly if it failed come September mind. If we're going to use last season's or previous kits for pre season though, a temporary ironing on of bid logos to the front could be worth the effort

[comrade powell]

I like that idea and I'll forward it to the Bid team.

[Timbo_b-o-a]

Given the importance of tomorrow night's event, does it not deserve mention on the main website page? There appears to be no details or information about it on bathcityfc.com at all, nor a link to the BBCB page...

[2weirdtown]

Not good perhaps, but given it's taken this long for anyone to notice, doesn't look as though many are viewing this site.

[comrade powell]

Timbo, I wouldn't imagine the club were asked to advertise it - it's not a club organised event.

just a reminder to anyone who has not signed up to come tomorrow - please go to the Bid website and fill in your details.

At present we are expecting at least 250. It should be good!

[comrade powell]

Some good photos from Tuesday here...

http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Hundreds-turn-Big-Bath-City-Bid-launches/story-26628367-detail/story.html

[BenE]

a very professional presentation from the team. star of the show was 'ollie' who clearly loves having a mic in his hand.

[pete mac]

Just to echo what BenE said....all the speakers were great. I was impressed with Nick Thompson......calm and knowledgable.....but the whole team is professional and passionate.....Shane and William H spoke well.....it was a good balance all round and at a great venue.

Now it just needs people to get behind an inspiring cause.

[MattC]

Just to echo what BenE said....all the speakers were great. I was impressed with Nick Thompson......calm and knowledgable.....but the whole team is professional and passionate.....Shane and William H spoke well.....it was a good balance all round and at a great venue.

Now it just needs people to get behind an inspiring cause.

Nick Thompson was hugely impressive, is it known if he plans to stay on in some capacity or is just part of the bid team?

[comrade powell]

We certainly hope he will stay on!

[Marc Monitor]

As someone who, with Shane, Oliver, Martin and others, has been the 'terrace' representative s in meetings so far, I have been impressed with Nick. Like Shane, he has always got the balance exactly right between all interested parts and interests - supporters, businesses, the wider community - which is difficult to do. He also has a great amount of credibility of being someone who has experience in successfully running a football club already. Not many community ownership bids have that sort of experience on board already. Having checked with Hull City supporters, it is interesting to hear that he is well thought of by them as well and obviously was the right side of "Tigergate". I was also pleased to hear that he wouldn't have considered getting involved if it wasn't for the community ownership aspect of this so he obviously isn't an asset grabbing type like some.

Anyway, 3 days gone, 2% of the initial £750,000 paid already and that is before the business shares are bought. Brilliant!

http://www.microgenius.org.uk/project/big-bath-city-bid-33

[kermit]

Yes Marc, vencouraging, but I thought Points West said we had raised £60k on the launch evening. Maybe I heard wrong.

[Steve Whites Missus]

We certainly hope he will stay on!

If voted in by the community shareholders....

[Midsomer-steve]

and Ian Holloway for manager - now that would be something special.

[Marc Monitor]

We certainly hope he will stay on!

If voted in by the community shareholders....

Well, presently, Nick is staying on as part of the Bid team and no other roles at present are up for grabs so, in many ways, he is the same as the rest of us who have bought shares. He would only need voting onto anything when roles on any new board of directors come up but we aren't anywhere near there yet.

[Marc Monitor]

Yes Marc, vencouraging, but I thought Points West said we had raised £60k on the launch evening. Maybe I heard wrong.

Yes, I think you heard wrong unless they meant pledges but I haven't anything to that effect about pledges either.

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