Call for pledges to help buy former Mill Road library in Cambridge
Campaigners hoping to buy the former Mill Road library and turn it into an arts centre are calling for ‘community champions’ to pledge small donations toward the project in return for being named on an inscription in the building.
The fundraising effort will go towards a bill of up to £2million needed to restore the building and turn it into a community arts centre and cinema.
The historic listed building has been put up for sale with a price tag of £700,000 but Cambridge City Council declared it an asset of community value (ACV), which means the county council cannot sell it to commercial bidders for six months. This is to give community interest groups time to raise funds to buy the building. The deadline for bids is now August 12.
Matthew Webb, who is leading the bid, said: “We’ve had an incredible amount of support so far from people saying that they want to see the arts centre happen. We have received thousands of emails. What we need to demonstrate now is a great swell of enthusiasm for the project from the community, so if people can pledge some money – perhaps £50 – towards securing securing the library, that will all help demonstrate to Cambridgeshire County Council that there’s a real desire to see the library as a cultural hub and centre on Mill Road when they have to decide who they offer the building to next month.”
Matthew made clear that no money would be taken at this time – the pledge is simply a promise to donate the money at a later date if the art centre becomes the preferred bidder chosen by the council.
“If we buy the building, we will put on a wall a list with all the names of out donors inscribed on it,” he said.
The group wants to create a vibrant cultural centre, screen diverse films and make it a place for learning in the arts. Although the sale price is £700,000, campaigners believe work to reinstall amenities such as electricity supply, dry out the damp and refurbish it would take the total cost to £2million.
The bids will be assessed and considered by councillors on the assets and procurement committee later in the year.
Cambridgeshire County Council has previously said: “Any commercial or community organisations interested in purchasing the former Mill Road Library now has until 12 August to submit their bid for the historic building.
“Mill Road library has been registered as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) following representations from the community. This process is managed by Cambridge City Council. ACV status ensures local community organisations are informed of the council’s intention to sell the property. This allows community organisations six months in total to demonstrate their bid – but will not determine who can buy the building or the price.”
To pledge to donate towards the arts centre and cinema, email arts@millroadlibrary.com.
