More time is being sought to complete a plan to save the Literary and Scientific Institute, the important Two Star Listed building at 51 East Street, which has been empty and neglected since it ceased to function as Bridport’s Public Library in the 1990s.
A well-attended meeting at Bridport Town Hall on Tuesday 29 June 2010 voted unanimously to support efforts to develop a Business Plan for a proposal to create a new Heritage and Study Centre focusing on Bridport’s cultural and industrial past, present and future.
The meeting was convened by town councillor Charles Wild and local consultant Crystal Johnson, who have been working on a voluntary basis to investigate possibilities for the future of the building since late January, when a High Court order allowed six months for the Development Trust and the local community to come up with a plan.
“Various suggestions have been made for the future of the building, but the need to secure major restoration grants means that only proposals which are likely to generate income over a sustained period have any chance of success,” said Cllr Wild.
“The trustees of Bridport Museum have indicated that they would like to investigate the possibility of establishing a new local attraction, incorporating the existing museum collection but with a wider focus on the cultural and industrial heritage of the Bridport area. The ownership of the building could be transferred to the Bridport Area Development Trust, which could sub-let it to the Museum Trust if the project can be shown to be viable.
“This looks the strongest of the suggestions which has come forward since we started looking for a solution to the building, and is gaining a lot of support. It could be a great use of the building and its wonderful interior spaces.”
Chairman of the Bridport Museum Trustees, Sandra Brown, said, “Obviously there is a lot to consider, but we think this is a very exciting possibility and well worth investigating– the Museum trustees are very supportive of this initiative.”
“We’re very grateful for the help we have received from a number of people over this short period, coming up with a range of suggestions and thoughts on how they could be funded, and some really interesting suggestions came up at the meeting,” said Crystal Johnson.
“Six months has obviously left us working to a very tight time frame. Having got the support of the meeting (to which we invited all those who responded to our public appeal in early March), we have asked for a short extension of time in order to complete a project proposal with costings and financial projections which could be submitted to the High Court.”
Anyone who would like to offer practical help is asked to contact Charles Wild (01308-420808) or Crystal Johnson (07968-577867).
