STROUD Town Council has submitted a plan to manage a historic venue in the town centre in partnership with the district council.

The approach proposed by the town council to safeguard the future of the Subscription Rooms, would see a charitable trust formed by the to authorities to ensure that the building remains in community ownership.

It is envisaged that the not-for-profit established by the district and town council, would not only oversee the Sub Rooms, but could also potentially oversee the arts and cultural strategy for the whole of the district.

Included in the proposal documents that were handed to the council on Monday are details of a suggested 39 year lease that the charity would take out on the building, and the recommendation that the district council provide a £230,000 grant to get the charity of the ground.

Full details of the proposal are available on the Stroud District Council website, and anyone who would like to comment or give feedback on the offer is being asked to submit comments by Monday, 19 March.

An event will be held later this month for members of the public to view the plans and ask questions.

Following the event, the four SDC party leaders will review both the proposal and feedback from the public before making a recommendation to the council’s strategy and resources committee.

That meeting will take place at Ebley Mill on Thursday, April 12, from 7pm.

Council leader Doina Cornell said: “We are having to review the lease at a time when there is pressure on finances to try and preserve council services as best we can. We look forward to reading the proposal.”

Last December district councillors made the historic decision not to sell the building after hundreds of people called for The Subs to remain in public ownership, and instead invited bids from prospective tenants to run the iconic venue.

The proposed plans are the latest twist in a saga which initially started in 2016 when the cash-strapped council announced that they could no longer afford to run the venue and were considering alternative options for the future of the building.