Community campaign to reopen Somerset theatre gathers pace

A campaign group hoping to reopen a theatre in Somerset says it has been given backing from the local community.

The BBC reports that Let's Buy The Amulet campaign recently carried out a survey to gauge public opinion on purchasing the Shepton Mallet venues, revealing that the response was "overwhelmingly positive".

The building was used as a theatre after being built in 1974 but went into private ownership in 2011. The campaign group wants it to operate as a museum, theatre, and cinema, as well as host craft markets and art workshops.

Martin Berkeley, from the campaign, said: "We would hope that some shows could still go on there, but its value is as a community centre."

The group is working on an application for funding from the government's Community Ownership Fund, which it hopes to submit in spring 2024.