I don’t know what to say, other than that 2025 is not going at all to plan. Back in the long-ago days of 2024, I had intended - even looked forward to - documenting every step of transforming 9 North Bondgate from a sticky, rundown takeaway into a beautiful creative space. Clearly that hasn’t happened. I’ve struggled with the whiplash of transitioning between the wreckage of my past professional life and the possibility of a future I don’t quite understand.

The end of the calendar year invites reflection. I’m not gonna lie, it’s frustrating that we’ve reached the end of December and - on the outside at least - the building looks pretty much the same as it did nearly a year ago.

I continue to be amazed by how s l o w l y this project progresses. I haven’t posted an update for a bit because it hasn’t felt like there’s been an update to offer. But a few people have asked about progress, so here we go.

My expectations about more progress at the building post-strip out proved faulty. Not completely false. But there hasn’t been the injection of momentum that I’d hoped for, either.

And suddenly the strip out is complete! It’s remarkable what a team of burly builders can accomplish in a few short days.

I knew I hadn’t posted an update in a while, but I didn’t realize that it had been a whole month. (Long exhale……)

On the surface, the building is even more foul now than it was two weeks ago. The sticky oil residue is everywhere. It’s gross. But I can see a way through.

The building is in a state of semi-organized chaos. But at least something is happening. Change is afoot. There’s no going back now.

They say “go slow to go fast.” All I can say is I sure hope that’s true.

What I’m trying to achieve with this building, is to create an environment where there is: “No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but oneself.”

If I was in a rigid, linear, plan —> execute mindset (i.e. planning for trains), I’d almost certainly be sitting here with my head in my hands sobbing. Instead, I’m responding to the feasibility report by planning for sailboats and keeping an open mind.

If you’re here because you saw one of the stickers up in the windows at 9 North Bondgate, let me introduce myself.

I am not by nature a patient person. While I prefer to live at a slower pace than some, I do like to be on the move - doing something, making progress.

Initial progress is slow, so I’m trying to stay motivated by looking ahead...

It has been a strange experience, taking over a building that someone else simply walked away from. I need to tidy away someone else’s project - someone else’s dream - before I can seriously get going on my own.

Now that I have the keys, I can begin to properly take stock of what’s there and what comes next…

I bought a Chinese takeaway. And by “Chinese takeaway” what I actually mean is a the vacant building that used to be a Chinese takeaway restaurant.

It all begins with an idea.

It all begins with an idea.