Radstock will see the Grand Opening of its new ‘Community Hub’ next Wednesday, 28th August. Based in the Library building, Radstock Town Council has moved in to the facility, not only making it more accessible to the public which it serves, but also to ensure the future continuation of the library.

One of the Town Council’s staff members, Diane Abbott, has become a dedicated Manager for the new Community Hub, and has already set about identifying community groups that may be able to use the space for the good of Radstock. This includes working with organisations such as FareShare South West, part of the UK’s largest food charity. They take in quality, in date, surplus food, receive deliveries at its Bristol warehouse, which is sorted and stored by volunteers, and distributed to its charity members in the local community.

Other organisations that the Town Council hope will use the building include the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, local police, health visitors, registrars, and social housing landlord, Curo, amongst others.

The library is being staffed by seven regular volunteers, and the Hub is always looking for more. Volunteers can give as much or little of their time as they can to help to keep this resource open. Diane says: “We are welcoming and so grateful for all of our volunteers – the idea is for the Hub to be somewhere members of the community can come, both to live and to be, accessessing important services within the town centre.”

The official opening will be carried out by Cllr Eleanor Jackson, current Chair of B&NES Council, and WECA Metro Mayor, Tim Bowles. There will be activities for children, with an arts and crafts session alongside a local artist. Children can also sign up to the Summer Reading Challenge, a national campaign to keep reading throughout the holidays. Radstock Town Council is aiming to sign up fifty children to this year’s challenge, which has a theme of ‘Space Chase’!

Nicola Duke, Radstock Town Council Clerk, told The Journal: “We had been looking to move offices for a long time – the Council’s aspiration was to be much more accessible and to provide community services under one roof. It was also a way to save the library at the same time; something that was very important to us.

“We are very proud of what we have been able to achieve in a short amount of time. Our focus has been very strategic, but we are now beginning to get back in to a routine.

“We are providing a home for Children’s Services here, too, and we will be looking to open on Saturdays, if we can get enough volunteers.

“We do not charge for the meeting space at present; and community groups are invited to use it – we are already using it for committee meetings.

“The Town Council now has a ‘face’, and is far more accessible than it was. We have rejigged quite a few other things to make savings and have been very careful with our budget.

“We are very pleased that we are able to offer this service to the community at no additional cost to residents.

“There has been a lot of change, and the move has taken up a lot of officer time, but we are back to the day-to-day business. We look forward to welcoming the community into our new Hub!”

The Grand Opening takes place with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m., with the event running until 3 p.m. The Community Hub will then open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.