Exclusive by Alan Quick

DO you think Crediton needs better facilities for our many excellent drama, dance and musical groups?

If so, should we build a Cultural Hub, which could include a flexible performance space, for theatre, film, music and dance events, as well as a gallery, café, meeting rooms and even offices to rent?

These questions were put to local organisations this week at a meeting hosted by Crediton Town Team.

For the past year the Town Team has been working on a New Cultural Hub Feasibility Study, visiting new and established arts and cultural centres in towns across Devon and talking to groups and service providers in Crediton about their current facilities and what they might need in the future.

“We have gathered a huge amount of information about the various venues and facilities in Crediton and have concluded that many organisations, not just the cultural ones, are coping with inadequate premises,” said Rosemary Stephenson, Leader of the Town Team’s New Cultural Hub sub group.

She added: “For a small town Crediton has an amazing number of talented, creative people, but the town lacks a high-quality, well-equipped venue for them to rehearse, perform and really reach their full potential.

“We also realised that some of our essential services, such as the Children’s Centre and Community Transport Association, have recently lost their homes.

“A Cultural Hub could well provide a base for these organisations as well”.

The meeting, held on Tuesday, October 11, in Lords Meadow Leisure Centre’s Meadow Suite, was attended by representatives from 17 organisations, including CODS, the Arts Centre, the Moon Jazz Club, Crediton Library, the Music Makers, Sustainable Crediton, the Children’s Centre, Crediton and District Community Transport Association, Age Concern Crediton and Crediton Community Book Shop.

“The aim of the meeting was to explain our vision for a Cultural Hub to potential stakeholders, that is the groups that might be interested in using it,” explained Rosemary.

AMBITIOUS LONG-TERM PROJECT

“This is an ambitious long-term project, so we need to consult widely to find out whether people really want a Hub and, if so, what sort of facility they want it to be.

“No decisions have been made yet and this certainly cannot happen without the full support of the town.”

Managers of the town’s current venues, such as the Boniface Centre and Congregational Church, were also invited to the meeting.

“We are well aware that a new facility could impact on the town’s current facilities. Our research shows that even with a new Hub, we would still need many other spaces for community use.

“We think the Hub could provide a central booking service, to help promote and develop other venues as well,” Rosemary noted.

At the meeting Mike Summerton, Town Team member and author of the Feasibility Study, explained how the Study Group had visited venues in six towns in Devon and Somerset, including the Plough in Torrington, the Beehive in Honiton, the Flavel in Dartmouth and the Watermark in Ivybridge.

From discussions with managers of these centres and analysis of their accounts, they had learnt that a successful venue needs to have multiple uses and strong partnerships with other community groups.

ARTS, COMMUNITY AND ENTERPRISE

“Our vision is summed up in three words - Arts, Community and Enterprise - or ACE for short,” explained Mike.

He added: “A new Hub could include a 200-250 seat auditorium suitable for local performance groups, as well as presenting a varied programme of film, theatre, music and comedy events.

“But it could be much more than an arts venue, providing a base for essential services, such as the Children’s Centre or youth services, as well as meeting rooms, conference facilities and office space for small businesses.

“It could also be a transport hub, providing offices and parking for our community transport and ambulance services. The Flavel and the Watermark have both provided homes to their town libraries, a collaboration which seems to work very well.”

The 70-page Feasibility Study explores various possible sizes and locations for a new Hub, ranging from a small town centre venue created by converting an empty shop, providing limited services, such as a café, gallery and small performance space, to a large edge-of-town facility, which could offer a huge range of facilities, even a health centre, as well as unlimited parking.

One option that was suggested could be a split-site facility, with a small town centre box office, gallery and café and a larger performance space situated out of town.

£1.8 MILLION TO MORE THAN £8 MILLION

The cost of the various options range from £1.8 million to more than £8 million.

Mike added: “The top figure is probably unaffordable, so we are most likely looking at a £4 to £5 million project, which is still a lot of money.

“Although the current financial climate is not good, there is still dedicated funding out there for major community projects. We need to be ready with a business plan for when funds do become available.”

The Study stresses the importance of finding an innovative idea or partnership to attract the attention of funders.

FLAGSHIP

Rosemary added: “We want to create a flagship facility in Crediton that other towns will want to copy.

“The Hub will have to be commercially viable in order to survive, so cannot rely on grant funding.

“To do this staff costs would have to be minimised and a large, reliable pool of volunteers, estimated at 40 in total, recruited to help ensure its smooth running.”

The Study concludes: “Above all, this project will only happen if strongly supported by the town.”

Those attending the meeting were asked to record their views by filling in a questionnaire.

CONSULTATION

The Town Team next plans to widen the consultation process, which will include organising a public meeting later this year.

The Town Team is a group of voluntary community activists, set up in 2014 by Mid Devon District Council, to lead and support initiatives to enhance the vibrancy, well-being and economy of Crediton.

To find out more about the New Cultural Hub and the Town Team’s other projects visit their website: www.credfest.co.uk .

• What do you think of the plan for a New Cultural Hub for Crediton?

Share your views with fellow “Courier” readers. Write a letter, suitable for publication to: The Editorial Manager, “Crediton Courier”, 102 High Street, Crediton EX17 3LF or alternatively, email: [email protected] .