£1.2m boost to arts in north Wiltshire (From Wiltshire Times)

£1.2m boost to arts in north Wiltshire

9:56am Friday 30th December 2005 in Corsham By David Giles

PLANS for a £1.2m revamp of the Pound Arts Centre have been given the go-ahead.

District councillors approved the proposals for the Corsham venue last Wednesday.

Changes to the Grade II listed building on Pound Pill include music practice rooms, an art gallery, a caf and a glass link between the two old school buildings.

Work will start in April and should be finished by the end of 2006.

Nicholas Keyworth, artistic director of the Pound Arts Trust, said: "It is all happening at the moment and we are moving forward.

"We have been working with the district council to secure the long term future for an arts centre for north Wiltshire. It will create a multi-purpose, multi-function arts venue, we have got exciting plans drawn up.

"We have been in touch with the other towns and want to make the centre accessible to the rural parts of the district. We are aiming to raise the profile of the arts in north Wiltshire.

"It is quite unusual for a local authority to show such conviction in supporting the arts and we are very excited."

The plans have been referred to the Secretary of State for a final decision, but supporters are confident there will not be a problem. Around 50,000 people currently use the centre every year and classes for 350 youngsters are held every week.

"It is a bit run down and needs some sorting out and refurbishment," Mr Keyworth said.

"We will have a properly set up performance space with proper lighting, sound and filming facilities. It will be somewhere that both local and professional groups can use."

North Wiltshire District Council owns the centre and is providing the bulk of the money for refurbishment. District and town councillor Roy Jackson said: "I'm more than happy about it.

"Over the years the district council has spent a lot of money on leisure facilities, which are very good.

"We have rather neglected the arts and I'm glad we are biting the bullet and going for it. There is a fair demand for it and my only concern is parking.

"There is a problem with parking in Corsham and there are not many spaces. Hopefully when there's a big event on people will be able to find somewhere nearby."