THE former ArtHouse Café could be transformed into a “multi-functional” space housing a community hub, café, art gallery, and a tourist information desk.
This is one of many ideas of the town council who are exploring how the building, located in the Market Place, could be used in the future.
Councillors have described the “important town centre building” as having “huge potential” and a “massive opportunity” for the town council to create something for the whole community.
Other ideas discussed at a full town council meeting earlier this month, included a Melksham museum, using the space as a “welfare facility” for town council staff, and a “business nursery”, offering new business start-ups space to work.
Cllr Tony Watts also suggested that the building would make a “fantastic entrance” for when the town council moves forward with plans to revamp the Assembly Hall. The ideas all have huge merit,” said cllr Adrienne Westbrook who explained that the building should not be used as a “commercial concern”.
“But I do believe it could be multi-functional,” continued cllr Westbrook. “[Let’s] have it for what we want as the town council, and what would be best for the town – I do believe that is multi-functional, with a hub, a café, an art gallery, tourist information centre presence – everything thrown in, including the kitchen sink!”
At the meeting, councillors agreed to form a working group to discuss the future of the building, also inviting other community representatives to join the discussions.
“This building could solve so many organisations’ needs,” said cllr Jon Hubbard.
The ArtHouse Café closed in March in response to the Covid-19 lockdown, before announcing in July that it would not be reopening due to the impact of the pandemic.
The café was managed by Melksham Rotary with the support of a team of volunteers. During its nine years of opening, it raised over £100,000 for local charities and causes.
![Melksham Times Past
A column about days gone by in Melksham by local historian Lisa Ellis
The Independent Chapel and Women’s Rights in the 1840s
A document I recently transcribed lists the baptisms performed at the Independent Chapel. This record is especially helpful in that, along with baptisms, a lot of them include birth dates - one of the ways I discover which day someone was born.
The following is taken from a Wiltshire Times article published on 9th November 1878 which reports a speech given during the 100-year services and to celebrate their renovations (what we now know to be the Rachel Fowler Centre).
One speaker, Rev. T. Mann, minister in Trowbridge, talked about the Chapel’s origins when he related how Rev. Honywill came to Melksham and how he’d gone on to remain as the minister for the Independent Chapel for almost 60 years. [Honywill and his family lived on King Street in what we now call “Legion House”.]
Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.](https://scontent-lhr6-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.75761-15/505444438_18038424887647822_3264519508333556874_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=aLBu4qWxSc8Q7kNvwHaVKlW&_nc_oc=AdlPbhxQewT_cSiTru31F-5KIjiDsVWMpCZRRI9rD6F5r9thoch559YVoStjbAgUtcg&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr6-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=LXEyVdf4JnNeYoQ52WXzVA&oh=00_AfNKFktSzThG--xszpxiOTO4LXiH0FfuQLjmBatZSq5t_A&oe=68586A4A "Melksham Times Past
A column about days gone by in Melksham by local historian Lisa Ellis
The Independent Chapel and Women’s Rights in the 1840s
A document I recently transcribed lists the baptisms performed at the Independent Chapel. This record is especially helpful in that, along with baptisms, a lot of them include birth dates - one of the ways I discover which day someone was born.
The following is taken from a Wiltshire Times article published on 9th November 1878 which reports a speech given during the 100-year services and to celebrate their renovations (what we now know to be the Rachel Fowler Centre).
One speaker, Rev. T. Mann, minister in Trowbridge, talked about the Chapel’s origins when he related how Rev. Honywill came to Melksham and how he’d gone on to remain as the minister for the Independent Chapel for almost 60 years. [Honywill and his family lived on King Street in what we now call “Legion House”.]
Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.")
