PLANS are underway to transform an empty café near Malmesbury into a thriving community hub.
A team of passionate villagers are hoping to secure £250,000 in grant funding to breathe life back into a closed café in Hullavington, The Old Stables, by turning it into a bustling community-owned café, bistro and meeting place.
The former café is situated next to The Hullavington Arms in the heart of the Wiltshire village and both buildings have been closed for several years, which some residents say has left a hole in the community.
The current landlord owns both properties and wants to turn the pub into apartments, meanwhile volunteer group Hullavington Community Benefit Society Limited has approached him about taking over the neglected café.
They envision a vibrant community space which offers high quality food and drink and hosts events, support groups, meetings, and recreational activities from early in the morning until late evening.
When questions about the future of the beloved buildings were raised in January, the society came across the government's Community Ownership Fund (COF) scheme which provides generous funding for community-owned ventures.
Over the last few months, the society's core group of 10 dedicated volunteers have enlisted the help of interior designers, architects, builders and caters to help with their COF application.
If successful, the society will receive around £250,000 of capital funding and will have to match-fund an additional 20 per cent.
Around 175 households have pledged to buy shares of the community venture so far, and many businesses have also been approached for support.
Volunteers are currently beavering away finalising the application as the portal to submit it is expected open sometime in the next few weeks.
The society's chair Debbie Lawley and secretary Jan Lloyd feel confident that their bid will be successful.
Jan said: "The feedback we have had from the village about our plans has been very positive and excitement is building as we grow closer to submitting our application.
"We want this to be a multi-functional building and an integral part of the community, while still keeping its authenticity.
"The pub's closure has left a hole in our village, so we want to renovate the Old Stables and make it into a safe haven for all."
Debbie said: "The pub and café were both prominent features of village life but have struggled in recent years.
"At the moment there is nowhere central in Hullavington to meet up with others, so we have to go to other people's homes or hop into a car.
"The proposed venture has to be financial sustainable, which we plan to achieve by offering high quality food and drink, but we also want to make sure it caters to the community’s needs.
"We know our village and are sensitised to what the residents are craving, so having a place which is owned and run by the community is a great way to ensure its viability for the future.
"We want it to be somewhere to savour, and somewhere to be proud of."
To find out more about these plans visit tinyurl.com/2pcn863b
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here