About @ The Lit
Our journey began back in 2018 when The Egham Museum sparked an idea to convert the Literary Institute, a historic building owned by Runnymede Borough Council, into a community hub. The Egham Museum is based on 1st floor of the building and the ground floor had been vacant for some time. With volunteers from across Egham and surrounding areas, and with advice from local Councillors, the Working Group consulted with residents and potential partners about the appetite for a cultural community hub housed in The Literary Institute in Egham from early 2019. A Business Plan that outlined our vision for the space was developed and included letters of support from a number of partners who would make The Lit their home, as well as those who committed to hire the space and individuals who proactively stated they would frequent a new hub engaging in the varied activities it would offer. The Business Plan was shared with Runnymede Borough Council in December 2019.
However, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic temporarily paused this positive momentum as businesses, retail, places of education and leisure closed soon after, and Runnymede Borough Council diverted their resources to those on the frontline and residents who required emergency support. Following lockdown easements in May 2020 and the Government announcement that further businesses and venues would be allowed to open from 4 June 2020, the ‘@ the Lit’ Working Group were eager to continue conversations with the Council.
Two days after signing the lease, we piloted our first opening, where we hosted an arts and craft fair in the main hall to co-inside with the Vegan Market taking place in the High Street. We also hosted the Egham Festival of Music on 21 June 2021, opened on Magna Carta Day on 26 June 2021 as part of a soft launch, and again for the Classic Car Show in July 2021. Throughout the summer of 2021 we busily built up a calendar of one-off and regular hires, as well as welcoming our first ‘resident’ in September 2021, and continue to go from strength to strength.
The Lit Trustees want to thank everyone who has supported the campaign along the way.
