Radstock Town Council has made an application to B&NES Council to nominate Trinity Methodist Church as an asset of community value in a move that could give them a six week window to form a plan – and potentially save the building from private ownership.

The Journal reported on this story earlier in the year, as members of the Radstock congregation reacted with sadness that the building could be sold. With a dwindling congregation and groups unable to use the hall like they once could pre-pandemic, an alternative use may have to be found.

Radstock Town Council were urged to start researching and planning now, by gathering data quickly on potential repairs, maintenance, upkeep and income and to assess whether taking on the building would outweigh any liability.

Cllr Chris Dando warned that should the building go up for sale, the Town Council would be looking at a “six figure sum” and that a proper business plan would be needed. He said: “This could be a big, expensive building and we need to understand what we would be bidding for and what the consequences are.

“We could still face the issues that we have with other buildings in the town – a lack of volunteers, a struggle to make it pay its way. We’ve been having these conversations about the library, the children’s centre – we have to be careful that we are not collecting failing assets and making ourselves fail in the process.

“We won’t have much time to put this together, so we would need all of our ducks in a row and put together a credible proposal.”

Cllr Bruce Shearn added: “We really need to look beyond the pandemic and see how we can start to rebuild the future – and positively. Instead of being afraid, we need to work out how to make real change happen. How can we use this building and improve the lives of people in our town through it?

“I suppose you could say we are very lucky in Radstock – you have one (Ward) Councillor in the town who thinks with his head, and another who thinks with his heart.”

The Mayor of Radstock, Cllr Rupert Bevan, said that the application to nominate Trinity Methodist Church as an asset of community value would “put our foot in the door”. He added: “This building has been at the heart of Radstock life for a long time. If we lost it, it would really rip that heart out of the town. It is important we salvage it while we can.”

The Town Council agreed to refer the issue to the property committee which will focus on gathering data which will be presented to fellow Councillors.

They will be asking what you think – should the building be saved for use by local people and how can it be done? If anyone has any ideas or would like to volunteer their help, please contact the Town Council.