Turbo Island was sold privately on October 16th 2024 for £100,000 to advertising company Out Of Hand - just hours ahead of the planned auction. Previously, Stokes Croft Land Trust had offered the same amount, but were turned down.
Out Of Hand were aware of the community effort to purchase the land and that donations had been made, and were in communication with members of the fundraising team, yet chose to circumvent the auction process behind the backs of the community, excluding others from bidding in the planned open and transparent process.
It was a frustrating and disappointing day for the many people who had donated money via online fundraisers, or pledged amounts to Stokes Croft Land Trust, who were aiming to bid on behalf of the community at the auction.
A commercial business secured the land through an underhand backdoor deal instead of working alongside the local community-led group who had come together to keep Turbo Island for the people - leading to Out Of Hand being known locally as "Under-Hand".
Out Of Hand even denied to reporters that they had bought the land, but eventually admitted to being the new owners after a council document naming them as the purchaser was made public in July 2025. It is reported that Out Of Hand have also formally objected to the Village Green application
Prior to the purchase, Out Of Hand had been renting the billboard from the previous landowners, Wildstone Investments.
Despite the sale, the application for Village Green Status is still ongoing. This could still prevent the land being developed.
Have you used Turbo Island socially over the years? If so, you can contribute to the application by filling in this form on Google Docs: Evidence Questionnaire in Support of Registration as a New Green (Turbo Island)
If you know anyone else who might be able to help, please tell them about the form. And if you or anyone else has photo, video, or any other evidence of Turbo Island being used socially over the last 20 years, please send anything you have to save.turbo.island@gmail.com
For up-to-date information about the continuing community efforts to safeguard the land, these are the folks to follow:
Turbo Island has always been a place like no other – a vibrant meeting spot, a canvas for creativity, and a cherished sanctuary where people come together, celebrate life, and feel free to be themselves. We still have an opportunity to ensure that this iconic space remains open to all, forever.