A £50,000 donation from James Bond star Daniel Craig has helped save a beloved Stroud community hub.
The future of Brimscombe Mill was thrown into doubt in March this year when it was revealed the building had been sold, putting up to 100 jobs in jeopardy, but thanks to the deep pockets of the James Bond actor and an unnamed benefactor from Stroud, the site is now secure.
The mill is home to social enterprises The Long Table, The Bike Drop, Kids Stuff and The Home Remedy furniture bank, originally based at Brimscombe Port but forced to move in 2021 when it was announced the site would be redeveloped.
“This incredible support from both the community and Daniel Craig speaks to the vitality of what we’re building here at Brimscombe Mill,” said Tom Herbert, Director at Brimscombe Mill and Co-Founder of The Long Table.
“This space has become a lifeline for many, offering not only meals and activities but also a sense of belonging and shared purpose. The continued support enables us to grow our offer and deepen our impact.”
“This incredible support from both the community and Daniel Craig speaks to the vitality of what we’re building here at Brimscombe Mill”
TOM HERBERT
Over the past three years, Brimscombe Mill has driven significant positive change within the Stroud community.
With a focus on accessibility and sustainable support, the organisation has served over 38,000 meals through The Long Table’s Pay-As-You-Can model, with around half of diners contributing either minimally or below cost—reflecting the community’s reliance on affordable, inclusive services.
In addition, the Mill has created over 54,000 hours of paid employment, repurposed 224 tonnes of items within the local economy and offered vital services such as 1,189 support packages for families in need.
In addition to food and employment initiatives, the Mill hosted 389 free or Pay-As-You-Can activities last year, drawing people of all ages together and strengthening the bonds within the community.
