A FORMER pub in Swindon's historic Railway Village is being brought back to life - but what should it be used for?
The Cricketer's Arms first opened in 1847 and closed five years ago, but a group of volunteers is working on sprucing it up and turning the Grade 2 listed building into something the community can use.
The Mechanics Institution Trust is mulling over how best to transform the space and is inviting people to suggest their own ideas as well as feedback on existing suggestions.
An informal survey of visitors to the Emlyn Square area in this month's National Heritage Days showed some of the available options in answer to the question 'What would you like to see at The Cricketers?'
They included local history, helping unemployed people, helping people start businesses, teaching skills for employment, benefits and housing advice, family activities, craft activities, environment activities, a meeting place, rental apartments, or a shop.
Turning it back into a pub is not going to be on the cards.
The shop, local history hub, and meeting place options were the most popular, as they had the most stickers next to them on the survey board.
Grants officer Emma Snow said: "We are fundraising for the inside of the building and we're asking what people would like to see. Work on the outside will start quite soon.
"The Bakers Arms has been revamped into a lovely community cafe and the Cricketers will now be our next project.
"It's not been used for a few years. It used to be one of four pubs in the Railway Village and was a key community hub for GWR workers.
"We can get grants for most of the options but not if it becomes a shop, though that one is the most popular so far."
In November 2019, the Mechanics’ Institution Trust (MIT) signed the lease for the building and started a plan to refurbish it, with the aim of providing public space on the ground floor which could be used for retail, educational or community purposes, then potentially turning the upper floors into three residential apartments.
Swindon Borough Council granted planning and listed building consents in March this year.
The exterior work Emma mentioned will involve fixing the roof, guttering, and stonework to make the building watertight.
The Trust has been tendering for a contractor and this work is expected to start in autumn 2022.
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