Really? What for?
Laser cutter use?
There is another post I am writing about that right now, because I think it’s worth thinking about the way we fund the laser cutter as I don’t think the current system works.
Ok so it’s not a panacea. It can’t do everything but it does have useful benefits and a “nice” ethos.
A worthwhile conversation…
…could we set up an account and have a play?
There’s one costcutter on the map.
It would be nice if the brixton hardware shops prices aren’t too high. Could be cool to support someone local if we could.
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The electronic B£ has a 1.5% handling fee associated with it.
Yes. Quite low, and it funds a local loans system.
When this post started out I actually was open minded to the idea, but all this has done is to make me realise this is a bad idea…
I think it’s a waste of time and money when we’ve got a million other things to do for the local community like finishing the space and making 30 shop signs neither of which have progressed much of late.
The scheme only serves to lock our money in a project which if it closes has no duty to pay us back, and we have no real way of spending ourselves because our only outgoings are with companies that don’t and won’t ever take B£.
I’ve got some B£ at home from taking part in a Lambeth Council project and it’s the first and only time I’ve ever seen the paper money, they have always pushed people towards the electronic version, which costs you money to use and yeah okay even if it goes to a nice local scheme, why not just give Makerspace the cash in GBP and give the whole 1.5% to a charity?
Sorry I don’t think this scheme is right for Makerspace on a number of levels.
I think if we want to put up a poster encouraging members to use it, and ask local businesses to take it thats fine, but the reality is that for Makerspace it’s not right, whereas for members it might be.
Yes. You can have democracy but only if it’s the democracy that we want…
What does a Brixton pound look like? Is it a real thing or is it just virtual? I ask as I am extremely unlikely ever to see one.
They are real notes. A trendy bar in Brighton once gave us one with one of the cocktails they serve.
We’re talking about changing £30 quid to b£ and buying some toilet paper and some nails.
i think it would be worth visiting the brixton hardware shop and trying to start a relationship with the owners.
this isnt dependent on the B£. although it wouldnt hurt to pay in that if we wanted. obvs not everyone agrees but none the less we can still discuss.
can we come up with a list of some things that we could buy from there. ill go and check it out. then we can do a comparison with screwfix. we could find out if he’ll deliver or setup standing orders.
- screws
- nails?
- masks
- sand paper
- glues
but they may have some kind of discount etc for trading in that.
im guessing it will probably be more expensive.
i wonder how much more would be seen as acceptable?
also itll be worth a visit to the cost cutter in brix thats already using the B£. we can then talk to our one about the idea. theyre a friendly bunch in their so ild be happy to chat with them.
We can also chat to our local Costcutter
i had a chat with the manager in our CostCutter over the weekend.
he said they used to have the brixton pound, and that a lot of places did around there a few years ago.
but it just didn’t catch on, and they stopped using it.
too much hassle and not enough interest.
nail? coffin?
I’d suggest we just make a concerted effort to ‘shop local’ rather than worry too much about the currency.
Well worth a discussion with the local hardware store and other local suppliers about things we need regularly, like bog roll, sanitary items, bin bags, masks, soap, dishwasher tablets, flux capacitor grease etc. Local sharing the love is a good thing, and we might also strike some good deals in the process.
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The big advantage of complimentary currencies is that the money circulates a few times locally. That does mean that businesses have to make the effort to find another local business to deal with, but that local connection-making is a big part of the vision.
Undoubtedly this is true. But I’d kind of hope we could do the local-connection-making without so much faff.
The philosophy that the local-connections we make must then forge other local-connections is however compelling.
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I aim to visit the herne hill and brixton hardware shops this weekend. For a “chat”.
Might enquire about discounts, delivery, standing orders. (Just to gets some facts)