Date published: 2024-07-15 | Category: Communities and volunteering, Community Funding, Regeneration and Development, Somer Valley
A café, a new home for the community library and space for community and cultural events is set to be created in Radstock town centre following the purchase of the Trinity building by Radstock Town Council.
The new community hub will be developed as part of a wider plan to regenerate the town centre and it is planned that the building will offer an accessible space where the community can gather, access local services and hold arts, cultural and businesses events.
The development is a key milestone in the delivery of the Radstock Regeneration Action Plan which brings together projects to make the town centre more vibrant including repurposing of vacant units, reuse of brownfield sites and new community spaces.
The action plan has been developed in partnership between Bath & North East Somerset Council and Radstock Town Council, and has already unlocked over £700,000 investment with the town council having formally acquired Trinity Church on May 31 this year.
Initial works will be to undertake maintenance, with plans for the redevelopment to follow with additional fundraising needed.
Radstock was the first town in Bath and North East Somerset to benefit from town centre regeneration action plans funded from the West of England Combined Authority’s Housing and Regeneration Enabling Fund.
Councillor Paul Roper, Cabinet Member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development, said: “There has been a longstanding aspiration for a town centre community space in Radstock where people can come together to enjoy a range of activities. The community hub will provide a home for the town council and the library, bringing local services together under one roof. alongside event and business space. The hub is an important step in continuing to deliver the Radstock Regeneration Action Plan and it’s fantastic news that the town council has acquired the building, so we can begin working together to make the vision for Trinity Church a reality.”
Chris Dando, Mayor of Radstock Town Council, said: I'm delighted, after a long period of negotiation and preparation, that we have finally acquired this building for our community. People will soon start to see improvements in the new Trinity Hub, as we turn it into a welcoming space for all. This is the next step in an exciting journey for Radstock and I'm grateful for all the people who are working with us on our regeneration plan for our town.
Rooms at Trinity Hub can be booked online at: https://hallbookingonline.com/trinityradstock/
The acquisition of Trinity Church was supported by UK Government funding. The Town Council has also secured a Public Works Board Loan and other funding has been allocated from Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy. Further funding will be sought to carry out the works.
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