MP DAVID Drew is backing a campaign to raise £100,000 in pledges to carry out improvements to the Subscription Rooms.

Stroud Town Council launched the campaign, which has received nearly £20,000 of pledges in just over a week, to encourage public commitment to ensure the historic venue remains in public hands.

“I am pleased that a campaign is underway to preserve the Subscription Rooms as a community-owned asset for the people of the district and am happy to support it,” said Mr Drew.

“The Subscription Rooms is at the heart of Stroud in so many ways and we should all work together to secure its future.”

The money would be used to provide a new bar and café and improve the toilets, which were highlighted by members of the public as priority areas for renovation within the building.

“We are asking people to make a pledge to demonstrate to the District Council that there is wide-ranging community support to create a viable and vibrant cultural and arts centre,” said Town Mayor Kevin Cranston.

“If our offer to Stroud District Council is successful we will launch a detailed plan for the future of the Subs at which time we'll be looking for vital early donations as we get up and running.”

Last year Stroud District Council announced that it was considering options for the future of the venue, as they could no longer afford to run the building.

Following widespread community opposition the district council decided not to sell the building and to keep the Subs in public ownership.

At the beginning of March the town council submitted a proposal which would see them working with the district council to manage the future of the building.

The proposal, which can be viewed on the SDC website, includes a plan for the refurbishment of the building as well as a details of a one-off grant of £230,000 to provide working capital in the first year of operation.

A consultation will be held in the George Room in the Subs between 10am and 12 noon on Saturday March 17 where members of the public can view the proposed plans and ask town and district councillors questions.

After the event, the four district council party leaders will make a recommendation about the building's future to the strategy and resources committee meeting in April.

People can pledge their support to The Subs online at bit.ly/subspledge or by completing a paper form available from the town council offices.