It protects St Mirren's future forever

Last updated : 31 March 2011 By Stuart Gillespie

Mr Atkinson, who joined the board last summer, went public for the first time yesterday and has given a few more interviews, with a few more details, today. He, along with fellow director Chris Stewart, is hoping to use a community interest company (CIC) called 10,000 Hours to buy the 52 per cent of shares that was put up for sale last summer. They are currently looking for anyone interested in joining the CIC to register at www.10000hours.org.

Mr Atkinson spoke to BBC Scotland today about his plans and claimed that when the CIC takes control of the shares - and it does seem to be if, rather than when, then they will be asset locked, meaning no one can sell them off in the future. His precise quote was: "It protects St Mirren's future forever". Time will tell on that one.

The CIC are looking for 300 people to sign up to give £10 a month. They are also after 10 companies signing up to hand over £10,000 a year. Getting the fans on board is possible - especially as membership apparently gets access to a new ground at the bar - but I'm not so sure about the companies in this financial climate.

Mr Atkinson said there are a number of organisations in Scotland and the UK that exist specifically to fund CICs and he's happy that the required amount of funding is in the company. There would still be a board of directors at the club, but beyond that there would be elected board members of the CIC.

His aim is to get the local community more involved with the club, enabling Saints to thrive and generate more revenue, while individuals, organisations and businesses can benefit from their relationship to the club.

One organisation that is keen to use the stadium is a local church, who would use it for their Sunday services and we would charge them for use of the facilities. An interesting idea but hardly a money spinner.

More information will be revealed in the coming weeks and months. To get it first, register at www.10000hours.org

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