A NEW petition and campaign has been launched in Stroud in an effort to keep the Subscription Rooms as a “vibrant, publicly-owned community venue”.

Support Our Subs (S.O.S) has been started in the last few weeks and is now calling on Stroud District Council to do “everything in their power” to help the arts venue.

It is hoping to work with the authority, which is carrying out a review and public consultation into the building’s future, to make sure it isn’t sold off on the open market.

The online petition says: “We the undersigned call upon our district councillors to do everything in their power to keep Stroud's Subscription Rooms as the vibrant, publicly-owned community venue it is, and to work with the community to secure its future.”

Hannah from Stroud commented on the petition: “There are no words to describe the stupidity of this decision. Keep the heart of Stroud beating. Let's not lose any more of Stroud soul.”

Chris Fry added: “I love The Subs. Central to our community. I hope you will explore all avenues to keep it running, including the use of volunteers.”

Mark Hewlett said: “The Subs is the heart of Stroud. Please keep it available for everyone.

Due to tightening budgets, the council is carrying out a review of some of its assets in the Five Valleys, including the Sub Rooms, which costs £415,000 to run every year.

Three options have been proposed; have SDC retain ownership, transfer the freehold to another organisation such as Stroud Town Council, a Trust or public sector body, or put the building on the open market.

It follows the news earlier this week that Mr Twitchett’s Coffee House & Bar is set to cease daytime trading.

SDC stated on Tuesday that the closure of the cafe, which is housed in the Sub Rooms, was in consultation after it made £30,000 in losses last year.

The Sub Rooms is the only council-owned and run arts and entertainment facility in the district.

It has been registered as a ‘community asset’ in order to allow groups or organisations to officially make transfer bids.

To make an expression of interest in running or taking over the Sub Rooms in any capacity, initial contact should be via subrooms.review@stroud.gov.uk

The petition can be viewed here: www.ipetitions.com/petition/support-our-subs-sos