The fourth year of operation for The Engine Hub CIC has been defined by continued growth, deeper community engagement, and expanding opportunities for local enterprise. Our core mission remains unchanged: to stimulate and encourage entrepreneurship within the local community, supporting a thriving and prosperous local economy that meets people’s needs. Escape Room Dursley continues to demonstrate how a community owned business can adapt, innovate, and deliver meaningful value for both residents and visitors. Over the year, more than hundred games were delivered across our two established rooms. We have provided flexible local employment for seven gamemasters, supporting individuals entering the workplace and helping them build confidence and transferable skills. The social, environmental and economic impact of the escape room includes local tourism uplift, regional reach (players travel from a wide radius, often using Dursley as a central meeting point and contributing to the town’s daytime economy), community group access, benefitting from a local, affordable entertainment venue and employment. In January, the Artisan Market merged with the Farmers Market to form Dursley Market, now operating monthly under The Engine Hub CIC in close partnership with Dursley Town Council. This collaboration aims to secure a sustainable, high quality local produce offer for the town. The Engine Hub CIC has continued to provide administrative support and joint working to Creative Community which has supported workshop delivery, project development, fundraising, and opportunities for supported creative practice. The previously redundant shop premises evolved during the year into a flexible, multi use space that enabled ideas to be tested and developed in a low risk environment. Highlights included exhibitions, window boards, office space rental and workshops (e.g. flower club). The venue also temporarily hosted of the town’s library service during refurbishment. Work with Gloucestershire Gateway Trust and Gloucester Services continued through the Limited Edition project with Gloucester Academy Year 9 students helping provide an insight into new product development. Work commenced within our local community to develop and create our next themed escape room in partnership with young people. Collaboration with the local school, Dursley Code Club, the Heritage Centre and The Chantry Centre enabled a successful crowdfunding launch, supported by Stroud District Council, in November.

Stakeholder engagement has continued throughout the year across all areas of The Engine Hub CIC’s activity. Our work naturally brings us into contact with a wide range of individuals, groups and organisations. Engagement occurs both directly through operational delivery and indirectly, through networks, partnerships and formal channels. This ensures that our activities remain responsive to community needs and informed by those affected by our work. The following list represents key stakeholder groups, though new relationships are continually developed as needs and opportunities arise: Market stallholders: Regular dialogue through Dursley Market operations, including feedback on trading conditions, layout, promotion and future development. Elected representatives and officers across Dursley and Cam and Stroud. Engagement through meetings, local initiatives, shared projects and consultation on community focused activity. Support organisations including Business Growth Hubs, Gloucestershire County Council, community hubs, educational bodies and health organisations. Collaboration on enterprise support, youth development, community wellbeing and local economic initiatives. Local charities and community groups: Ongoing partnership working, shared events, mutual support and cross promotion. Self employed individuals, startups and micro SMEs: Engagement through business drop ins, informal mentoring, market participation, workspace use and project collaboration. Local event organisers: Attendance, contribution and partnership at community events, festivals and town wide initiatives. Across all stakeholder groups, feedback is gathered informally through conversation, participation and observation, as well as through more structured discussions when planning new initiatives or reviewing existing activity. This ongoing engagement ensures that The Engine Hub CIC continues to evolve in line with community priorities and remains a trusted, collaborative organisation within the local area.

Charlotte Marwood was paid a total of £14,078 f in the 12 months to December 2025. No other director received any remuneration and there were no other transactions or arrangements in connection with the remuneration of directors, or compensation for director’s loss of office, which require to be disclosed.

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration