Marlborough Town Council
Christchurch, Marlborough
Community interest groups have unique opportunity to acquire the building
Christchurch in New Road, the building which also includes the much-used meeting space (the Wesley Hall) in Oxford Street, has been registered as an asset of community value following a request to do so from Marlborough Town Council, which is keen to see this much-used community space continue to be available to local groups.
The registration as an “Asset of Community Value” gives community interest groups an opportunity, until 27 July, to ask to be treated as a potential bidder. If such a request is registered with Wiltshire Council this will trigger a six month moratorium meaning no sale can take place before 15 December and providing time for the interested parties to raise funding and put together their bid. The owner is under no obligation to accept, but this pause is intended to allow community groups time to organise themselves and increase their chance of making a successful bid.
Requests to be treated as a potential bidder should be sent to simon.day@wiltshire.gov.uk before 27 July. If no such request is received then the owner of the asset is free to dispose of the asset at the end of the six weeks and without any further moratoria until 15 December 2023.
Find out how to be treated as a potential bidder here: https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/community-environment-ownership-assets
Government regulations with more information about eligible community interest groups here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2012/9780111526293/contents
Online support and advice to potential bidders available here: https://mycommunity.org.uk/