Can You Help Us Reach Our Goal?
We’re on a mission to raise £20,000 – just half of the total amount we need to move The Pilates Pod to a new home. (If you haven’t heard why we’re being forced to move, you can read our story [here].) Without this, we simply cannot move and continue the business. So let’s rally the community and support a local who does such great things for the people.
How Can You Help?
By making a pledge of support, however big or small, all brings us one step closer to our goal and help ensure that the people who rely on us continue to receive the support and care they need.
Check out our Pledge-o-Meter to see how we’re doing and track our progress.
Every pledge counts. Together, we can make this move possible. Find out to pledge here.
Pledge-0-Meter update 2nd June 2025
We’ve broken the £2,500 mark, which means we’re now 12.5% of the way into our Pod Pledge. But we still have a really long way to go.
This month hasn’t been the easiest. We had to pay out more to the council for yet another application, a last-minute change of heart from the landlord has added even more ongoing financial risk. What was originally agreed about the space has now shifted, and we’re dealing with moving goalposts that make the process even more demanding and costly for us. It feels like every stage is being stalled by council red tape, landlord issues or solicitor delays.
What hasn’t slowed is the momentum behind the scenes – like the new apparatus we’ve had to purchase. After a few last-minute hiccups with collection, it’s finally set to be picked up on 20th June and will currently be stored in my home as of course the new premises it was meant for, is not ready!
This is not just a move; it’s about protecting a space where people feel safe in their movement practice, where you have work, and where something special has grown. This is about preserving a legacy; one we’ve all helped shape.
So, if you can:
- Pledge anything you’re able to — it really makes a difference. You can pledge here
- Share our story and the Pod Pledge with friends and contacts.
- Reach out if you know of any spaces in Hitchin — ideally 38–50 sqm, or something bigger that could be divided into 2–4 spaces. A small office/reception area would be a bonus, and ideally not a listed property!
We’re staying positive and hopeful for our move to 13 Bancroft whilst also still being realistic and open to new ideas with other businesses and other locations in Hitchin.
We’ll keep you posted.With love, Michelle x
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Pledge-0-Meter update 15th May 2025.
We’re grateful for the additional pledges we’ve received over the past week. With your support, we’ve increased our total monetary pledges from £1,570 to £2,120.
That means we’re now 10% of the way toward our overall goal; a fantastic start! Thank you so much if you’ve already contributed. Whether you’re able to pledge £25, £250, or £2,500, every contribution is deeply appreciated and will help ensure the Pod can continue to operate as we enter this new and challenging phase. We are also still keen to hear from any builders, decorators, electricians, signage company, skip hire or handyman, who is willing to pledge their time and skills to help.
We’d also like to extend a special thank you to Pod client Jon, who generously stepped in to provide the additional elevation drawings required by the council for our application to proceed. Your support means a great deal—thank you!
It’s been a trying week. The landlord and solicitors are inching closer to finalising the contract, but we still can’t sign until we have the necessary consents from planning, advertising, and listed building authorities at the council.
It feels as though everyone has imposed a deadline on us (often with penalties if we can’t meet them) yet those deadlines don’t align, and we remain at the mercy of others to move things along 🙁
That said, we’re hopeful that a shift in momentum is just around the corner.
Here’s to some well-needed positivity coming our way soon!
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Pledge-0-Meter update 9th May 2025.
We have received several pledges for helping clean, pack, help move things over, supply us with some cake and coffee, the use of a van to collect our apparatus, and some architect help with some drawings for the council We will most definitely be in touch when we know more and take you up on your pledge – we know who you are, so thank you!
We currently have no idea when the move will happen. We are at the mercy of waiting for the NHDC Listed Building department, planning and heritage, to approve our applications. Then it’s over to the solicitors for us and landlord to get the contracts put together. But once we get a green light, we will be needing the following skills so….
We are appealing to the following people or companies that may be able to pledge their time:
Electrician, builder to knock down a stud wall, signage company, skip hire company, decorator, a handy man, carpenter. Will you pledge your time to our cause? Find out how here.
Download your Pledge Badge of Honour
Our deepest thanks to you if you have pledged. Please continue to spreading the word. Please download your Pledge badge of honour which we would love to see you share proudly on your social media and tell our story www.thepilatespod.co.uk/pod-pledge.
