Centrepoint 1995-2026

In October 2026 we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of ESCCB’s (later renamed Centrepoint) formally opening the doors of its first physical premises on Aeschengraben. The origins of the club and intense collaborative preparation work to make this a reality, however, date back to February 1995,

The Centrepoint vision and organisation are an emerging story. From the first discussions in 1995, the story until now has unfolded through self-analysis, member surveys, strategic plans and changing times and challenges. 

Mission Statement

However, the mission statement never changed over the years:

 ‘Community is about belonging and feeling at home. It encompasses sharing, learning and having fun with others. Community results when people come together and get involved. Centrepoint, through its resources, programmes and activities, and in co-operation with partner organisations, strives to build and strengthen a sense of community among expatriates of all nationalities and Swiss living in Basel’.

Centrepoint endeavours to help its members integrate into the Basel community and Switzerland. Learning the language, customs and way of life makes living a richer experience. For 30 years, Centrepoint has proven its staying power: a remarkable feat for a volunteer organisation with a transient membership. 

Our members and volunteers

Membership is the lifeblood of each organisation and Centrepoint has always had a healthy number of active members, also called our volunteers. From its inception, Centrepoint has operated solely through the generous volunteer commitment of its members, leading events, coffee mornings, talks, trips, tours, workshops, Art Wall exhibitions, apéros, conversation groups, the library, welcoming visitors, and managing many other tasks. At any time, you will find at least 50 programmes, all run by our volunteers!

Today, members come from all continents, with a majority of British, Canadian, American and Swiss members. Although English is the formal language of Centrepoint, you can easily chat in German and other languages.

A short historical overview

It all started on 14th February 1995, when the idea of creating an international centre was conceived. Previously, several Americans had proposed an “America Centre,” but that evening representatives from international clubs and organisations suggested it would be better to create a centre that included English-speaking people from all nations, including Swiss citizens living in the Basel region.

The English-speaking Community Centre of Basel

12th May 1995: The statutes were signed by the “founding members” who were either representatives of various clubs, organisations or independent participants and formally approved in June 1995. Paid membership consisted of about 20-30 individuals. They spent the next (sometimes very frustrating) year looking for potential premises, discussing our goals and mission, and deciding upon a provisional working name: English-speaking Community Centre of Basel (ESCCB).

Georges and Margaret Ségal

Georges and Margaret Ségal came to our rescue by offering us a small but workable, affordable space in a building they owned at 12 Aeschengraben, Basel. They accepted that this might be a provisional solution only, especially if membership grew.  

1st October 1996: The ESCCB opened its doors, expecting more local residents to join soon. By May 1997, our membership increased to about 500 individuals. The ESCCB offered services such as computers for use, coffee, a library, video rentals, talks, wine tastings, seminars, a newsletter, various events and room rentals.

The Lohnhof

In 1997 our application for space in the Lohnhof was accepted and a dedicated team worked toward ensuring this move went smoothly (e.g., holding focus group meetings to determine needs and priorities, analysing strengths and weaknesses, selecting a more appropriate name, designing new brochures, planning the architectural layout of our space in the Lohnhof, seeking sponsors, preparing press releases, creating a website, obtaining furniture & furnishings, planning events for the opening, etc).

The Lohnhof, 9 June 1999

The first apéro and opening

9th June 1999: The first apéro in the Lohnhof was held on the ground floor for the numerous corporate and individual sponsors and member volunteers. Special thanks were given to Dr Peter Hoffmann (president of the Lohnhof Stiftung) and to our architectural team, Maureen Reinertsen and Valerie Egger, and the new name, Centrepoint, was formally announced. 

4th-8th September 1999: The grand opening for the wider membership and newcomers was held in the Lohnhof courtyard, on the ground floor and in Centrepoint’s own premises. There was an opening apéro, a family fun day, historical/archaeological tours of the Lohnhof and Leonardskirch, a jazz musician (Annie Bootz) and our first Ar Wall vernissage (featuring artist Jo Siefert).

At the Expat Expo 

The first AGM and other events

12th April 2000: Our first AGM as new tenants in the Lohnhof

27th September 2001: Centrepoint and the Professional Women’s Group hosted an evening to celebrate Basel’s 500th year as a Swiss canton. Proceeds from the evening were donated to the Swiss Red Cross in memory of the victims of the 11^th September 2001 tragedy. 

March 2010: Our combined 15th Anniversary Gala and AGM held at Crescenda, Schützenmattstrasse, Basel.

2011: “Centrepoint Perspective” was published and distinctly mentions Centrepoint’s inception in 1995.  

27th October 2016: The “20th” Anniversary party was held on the ground floor and inner courtyard of the Lohnhof, with a DJ, dancing, and plenty of great food. This seems to be the year in which the Board chose to celebrate the 21st anniversary as the 20th anniversary.  

31^st May 2017: The Fauteuil Theatre was packed with Centrepoint members as president Kate Watson received Basel’s Schappo award from Regierungspräsidentin Elisabeth Ackermann. The presentation was followed by an apéro in the theatre courtyard.

2022: Our “25th” (or 26th, depending on your perception) Anniversary was held a year (or 2 years) late due to Covid restrictions. 

2026: Launch of the new website, replacing Horizon, first published as an 8-page newsletter in September 1998, and the number of membership households passed 400, after a decline in 2020-2022 (Covid). 

Looking forward

The first apéro in the Lohnhof took place on 9th June 1999. The apéro on 15 October 2026 represents a tradition, we may use that word by now, of 27 years spent in promotional social contact. At first, with Summer and Christmas/New Year’s parties, and since February 2011, with a monthly apéro for new members, open to all members and non-members in March 2012, month after month, almost without interruption.

This continuity and the number of activities offered are only possible due to the fulfilment of the mission statement and the untiring efforts of members and volunteers. So that’s a brief history of Centrepoint. You all know the present and we hope you will find what you are looking for at Centrepoint. And what the future brings? Let’s see in five years.

Based on Centrepoint’s archive, special thanks to Janet Hawley, Peter Berrie, Brigitta Hänggi and Colin Hughson