PICTURES: Stroud stands arm-in-arm around Sub Rooms as part of colourful community celebration

MORE than two hundred residents, campaigners, councillors, artists, dancers, writers and poets stood arm in arm and formed a human ring around Subscription Rooms in Stroud today as a symbol of the campaign to support the venue.

The unique and colourful show of solidarity was led by the newly-formed Support Our Subs group to celebrate all that is great about the arts hub and make sure it remains a publicly-owned amenity for the town and wider district.

The demonstration comes in response to a review into the future of the building by Stroud District Council, which is reconsidering its ownership due to increasing financial strain on its budgets.

As the sun came out overhead on Saturday morning, the Sub Rooms forecourt was slowly filled with spectators and supports keen to voice their opinion on the consultation and celebrate its history and cultural importance.

They were joined by passers-by on their way to the Farmer’s Market, who paused to watch an array of arts and entertainment including dancers, poets and musicians perform on the building’s steps.

Meanwhile members of the campaign group wound their way through the crowds and chatted to the public, while others manned a stall allowing people to sign their names on a paper petition supporting the Subs.

As the hands of nearby Sim's Clock struck noon, friends and strangers alike linked arms and formed one long chain that snaked right around the building.

Banners reading ‘Support Our Subs’ were held aloft, cheers rang out and campaigners led the group in song.

“What an incredible show of support. We’re delighted so many people turned out this morning,” said Julie Wickham, from Support Our Subs. “The Sub Rooms really is the heart and soul of Stroud.

“Last month the town council held a public meeting on the future of the venue and around 100 people came along. This was an important first step, but we knew this didn’t really show the level of appreciation people here have for the Subs.

“So we got together and organise this event to really demonstrate how much it means to people our community. I think the turnout today speaks volumes.

“We wanted today to be a really positive celebration of everything that goes on here and show just what it represents to our amazing, creative community. This is what we possibly stand to lose if the Subs aren’t kept in public hands.”

Among those to perform included popular dancing collection Boss Morris and theatre group Spaniel In The Works, while music came from Out To Lunch, Gloucester Dymond and Scratch Ceilidh.

Alongside them on the bill were a quartet of Stroud poets; Crispin Thomas, Elvis McGonagall, Jonny Fluffypunk and Adam Horovitz.

“The message today is clear,” said Mr Horowitz, “We want see the Sub Rooms remain a lively, thriving and dynamic venue that benefits everyone in our community.

“That’s what the Sub Rooms was originally created for - and that’s the function we want to see it serve in the future.

“When people visit the Subscription Rooms they subscribe to Stroud. They subscribe to our community and our town. This building brings people together to celebrate each other.”

His fellow poet Jonny Fluffypunk added: “It’s incredibly important that we have something like this in Stroud that is all about the wellbeing of the people – something owned by the people that represents and celebrates everything creative that happens here – something that is central and accessible. That is what we want to defend.”

Another of those among those linking arms was conductor Hugh Barton from the Stroud Preservation society, who last weekend organised a charity fundraiser at the Sub Rooms with a 120-strong choir which raised more than £4,000 to support refugee charities.

“The amazing level of support and the number of people who came along last week exemplified why we need the Sub Rooms,” he said. “It’s a central part of Stroud’s identity and a focal point in our town.

“It was actually my idea to have everyone link arms around the Subs. I hope it sent a message about how much the people of Stroud care for this building. We want to see it improved and enhanced in the coming years.

“We still have a few weeks left to gather expressions of interest from community groups in Stroud. So it must be stressed that this event is not about saving the Subs, we’re not at that stage yet, and hopefully we won’t ever be – this was about supporting the venue and showcasing all the amazing things that go on here every week.”

Another among the crowd was Stroud town councillor Lucas Schoemaker, who has been outspoken in his support for the arts venue since the consultation was announced.

“The Sub Rooms exemplifies all that is great about Stroud,” he said. “Before the consultation ends and decisions are made we want to have a groundswell of public interest and support in this campaign.”

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

Due to tightening budgets due to reductions to the funding for local government, SDC 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.

Earlier this week the council stressed that the long term future of the Subscription Rooms has not been decided and that a Task and Finish Group will make recommendations on the future of the venue at the end of this year.

Currently there is a six week community consultation taking place where all and any interested parties are being asked to ‘express an interest’ in running the Sub Rooms. This consultation finishes on April 12.

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

SDC said it has already received six expressions of interest from community groups and interested parties.

The next stage will be inviting formal bids which will need to be submitted by end of August.

A report to the council’s community services and licencing committee earlier this week, said: “We are committed to protect front line services and unlike many other councils we have continued to support the community and voluntary sector through grants.

“The council is committed to having a vibrant district and we trust that the Subscription Rooms will continue to play its part in supporting that.”

The Support Our Subs group is urging residents to sign its petition to ensure the venue continues in public ownership. You can sign the petition at bit.ly/2o1wrlR

• Read the SNJ’s editorial on the Sub Rooms debate here.