Stowmarket Town Council heard last Wednesday that the Stowmarket Creativity Centre Project Group was ready to begin the next phase of its scheme to transform the town's Corn Exchange into an arts centre.

Group chairman John Spitzer told the council – which owns the 19th century building – the project now needed a community interest company or trust fund that could oversee fund-raising and start work on the site.

Under the plans, the Church Walk building, which has been empty for several years, would be given a £450,000 refurbishment, with another £550,000 needed to construct a new stage and seating area, as well as retail and studio space and a box office.

The group hopes the centre could be named after legendary Radio 1 DJ John Peel, who lived in Great Finborough until his death in 2004.

A digital archive would allow visitors to hear the broadcaster's vast record collection.

Mr Spitzer said: "Interest in this project has really grown, and the comments that were made in our consultation were all very positive.

"People are telling us they want us to do something with this building."

Councillors urged the group to find a separate body that could act as a financial support for the project, but said they would continue to make the building available for the scheme.

Cllr David Whybrow said: "It's clearly been an impressive piece of work to get to this stage, and I think that's to be commended, especially in a world that's full of cynicism and lack of hope."

The 19th century building has in the past been used as a pool hall and in 2007 there were discussions about it being turned into a restauarant and bar when the town council moved to sell the building. Then concerns were raised that the building should be put to community use as the council had originally acquired it for the town.

- For a full report, see the Bury Free Press

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