Winchcombe Methodist Church to turn into performance space

Winchcombe Methodist Church on the high street will finally be transformed into an arts and community hub after residents raised more than £500,000 to buy the venue.

The 16-month campaign and year-long fundraising effort started after organisers wanted to turn their redundant church into an arts, youth and community centre.

The charity Winchcombe Arts and Community Hub (WACH), formed this year, had launched an appeal to purchase the building to be used by the community.

"It is a great sense of relief after a year of non-stop activity, meeting deadlines and fundraising," said WACH chair Gill Cocks.

"We had an amazing response from the community whose pledges and donations helped us raise £120,000.

"Without them, nothing would have happened - It is amazing."

A local appeal, backed by national and local government bodies, had resulted in contracts officially being signed as of yesterday (Thursday).

The charity had received grants from the Department of Levelling Up and the Gloucestershire County Council to help pay for the building.

The former church will be transformed into a performance space with construction work starting in January.

WACH hope the place will also be home to artisan and craft markets as well as hosting dr5ama, dance and music sessions

The charity will liaise with local schools to provide space for them to use the facilities. 

Work is now expected to start in January to refurbish the 1885 building to open in mid-2024 with a programme of music, comedy, and performances.

Ms Cocks added: "This is an historic day for Winchcombe and the surrounding area in North-East Gloucestershire.

"It is what the community has been wanting for years.

"There is still much to do, but we look forward to having many of our hundreds of wonderful supporters participate in making it a great success."

The next step for the charity is to build the space and rally volunteers in specialist areas to use the space.