What We Have Achieved So Far
Our group started work on this project in May 2023 and has made good steady progress so far.
Public Consultation
We have held public meetings, run surveys and collected memories.
- Questionnaire, 500 responses, online and paper on previous use and ideas for future use
- Consultation on proposals for future use; online, paper, at weekly markets and a mass event
- Public meetings, with three held to date in multiple venues
- Website and social media discussion
- Appeal for memories and photos of historic use
You can read more in our news archives.
Building Surveys
We have carried out extensive research of the Amulet building, to make sure we know about all potential issues and to fully prepare our funding bid:
- Building condition
- Asbestos management
- Electrical condition
- Lift restoration
- Roof drone survey
- Theatrical engineering
- Fire safety
- Building engineering
- Architectural planning
Organisation
We have set up a community benefit society which will own the building and manage the operation. This type of social enterprise ensures that all efforts are for the benefit of the community, rather than for any individual. This organisation has been granted ‘charitable status’ by HMRC so it will not pay stamp duty on the building’s purchase and will not pay corporation tax or business rates.
Project Support
Our plans to reopen the Amulet have received strong support from a number of national organisations who have funded consultants to help us. This support has been used to create our viability study, business plan and community share offer.
Funding Disapointment
Our project was shortlisted for a £1,000,000 share of the Levelling Up Culture Fund for Mendip in May 2024 but this was cancelled by the change of government, who also cancelled the Community Ownership Fund, which the Amulet was also eligible for. Having spent many months building a strong funding bid, which had won local authority and MP approval, we were very disappointed by this decision.
What’s Next
Pop-Up Activity
We have been given temporary access to the ground floor of the Amulet, to put on open days and pop-up events to explain our future plans for the building.
Community Share Issue
Shares will be sold in the community organisation to allow local people to directly invest in the project. Anyone can buy shares, with a minimum of £250 investment and a maximum of £60,000. Every shareholder will have one vote in decisions on how the project is run.
Grant Funding
Most of the money to purchase and reopen the Amulet will come from grant funding which has been specifically set up for community projects such as this. Applications will be submitted to the following funds in 2025:
- National Lottery Reaching Communities
- Architectural Heritage Fund
- National Lottery Heritage Fund
Phase One
Once the building has been purchased there will be essential repairs to be made and services to be reinstated. The ground floor will be divided up into a series of flexible spaces for a wide range of community activities. The stage and auditorium will be refurbished to allow basic performance and the building will reopen to the public.
Phase Two – three to five years
- further fundraising
- recording studios, artists studios
Our project will be eligible for further funding once we are up & running and have proved that our vision brings real benefit to our community.