Community blasts town council’s decision to scrap plans for former ArtHouse Café

THE decision by Melksham Town Council to shelve plans to create a community hub in the former ArtHouse Café in the Market Place, in favour of an online “virtual hub”, has been labelled as a “backwards step” by locals.  

Residents have argued that after 15 months of Covid-19 social restrictions, the community is craving more ‘in-person’ contact and are “sick of being pushed online”.  But newly-elected councillors, at a meeting of the town council’s community development committee earlier this month, have concluded that there is “not enough evidence” to support the need for a “physical hub”.  

“God forbid people spend time together,” said one resident sarcastically in response to the decision.  

Former town councillor, Adrienne Westbrook, who championed the idea for the community hub, said, “A virtual hub isn’t very user friendly for an older person who is lonely, or a parent who needs support. Meeting people and talking is the best way, and the council have missed an important opportunity.”  

Another resident added, “Sadly not all [older people] will have online access, and seriously some of us are sick of being pushed online for life. Locked up for a year for work and social, it’s time to use venues like this to bring the community back together please.”  

The online backlash against the town council’s decision also brought with it a raft of ideas for how the community would like to use the space. 

As well as using the former cafè as a community hub, other ideas included a studio space for creative people to book; a youth café; a small theatre venue; a repair café; a community fridge; or a ‘share shop/library of things’, where residents can ‘borrow’ a large variety of items. 

However, there could be some hope for the space becoming a community hub, with the GoodNews Church – who currently use the Town Hall – considering renting the building to create a more permanent base for them in the town. 

Their plans include converting the former café into a community space, or hub, available to different groups during the daytime and evening. Their proposal says, “The [former] ArtHouse would be a ‘safe space’ for vulnerable groups and a venue for self- supporting groups to meet and share together.  

“In particular, we would like to focus on helping young people in Melksham to succeed in education and to have the opportunity to prepare for future employment.” 

Plans for a community hub began in September last year, following the announcement of the ArtHouse Café’s permanent closure in July. At the time, it was described by previous councillors as a “massive opportunity” for the town council to create something for the whole community.  

Initial ideas included using it as a multi-functional space housing a community hub, café, art gallery, and a tourist information desk; or as a space for groups to hire.  

Instead, chair of the community development committee, cllr Jack Oatley, has proposed that the town council focus on its plans to create a “virtual community hub”, which will house information online about community groups, services, venues, activities and events in the area.  

Whilst supportive of the idea of having a “virtual hub”, some councillors resisted the proposal to scrap plans for a ‘physical’ community hub.  

“Elderly people on the whole are more inclined to want information and support in-person, not online.” said cllr Pat Aves. “I really think elderly people need somewhere to go and talk to people.”  

“It’s the physical contact that the elderly people are missing,” said cllr Sue Mortimer, who suggested that the space be used as a “chatty cafe” in the interim, whilst the community waits for the campus to open.  

But other councillors were not so keen, warning that a town council subsidised café or meeting space could take business away from other cafés, venues, and church halls in the area, potentially “creating another problem further down the line”. 

“There are quite a few assets in the town that are already doing what we are trying to achieve here,” said cllr Simon Crundell, who suggested that the town council would be best placed to support businesses and organisations in the town to help the community, rather than create a rival service. 

At the meeting, councilors resolved to leave the former ArtHouse Café empty, passing on management of the building to the town council’s asset management and amenities committee. Members of that committee are now expected to discuss the proposal by GoodNews Church to rent the space. 

Councillors have tasked town council staff to develop and research plans for a “virtual hub”, noting that if they do discover evidence of a need for a ‘physical’ hub, to bring this evidence back to the committee.