The ambitious £1.4m public share offer to turn Bath City FC into a community-owned club is to be launched on June 2.
The event will kick off an action-packed three-month fundraising campaign during which businesses and individuals from Bath and beyond will be able to buy community shares to support the Big Bath City Bid. 
The share offer prospectus will be officially presented at the launch – and those attending will be able to buy shares on the spot.
The Bid team want to replicate the success of the £700,000 community share issue that saved Bath’s popular music pub The Bell in Walcot Street.
The £1.4m they hope to net would to buy the Conference South club, satisfy its creditors and provide working capital for the 2015/16 season.
The launch will take place in the iconic banqueting room of the Guildhall – a venue the Bid team selected to reflects their belief that Bath City FC can play a central role in Bath’s social fabric.
Influential figures from the worlds of business, sport, government, education, philanthropy and the arts will be invited.
Individuals and businesses will be able to buy up to £100,000 in shares, which can later be repaid with modest interest at the discretion of the future elected board. Investments in community shares can in theory attract up to 30% in income tax relief.
Bid 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.”
The launch event will include a formal presentation of the prospectus by the bid team followed by a question-and-answer session. It will also include the first screening of a new promotional film supporting the bid featuring iconic film director and diehard Bath City fan, Ken Loach.
Former Hull City managing director Nick Thompson – now chief executive of Bath internet telephony, broadband and web hosting firm Gradwell Communications – is leading the development of the business plan and share prospectus.
He 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.”
While the current Bath City FC board supports the Big Bath City Bid’s aims in principle, it remains open to other options. A binding offer will be made by the bid towards the end of the fundraising period.
The free event on June 2 starts at 6.30pm and is open to everyone.
Pictured: The Bid team and volunteers
