Battle over Stroud Sub Rooms ramps up as public ownership remains bone of contention

In what will be a landmark decision, the Stroud district council-owned arts and entertainment venue could pass out of public ownership.

SDC was forced to consider the Sub Rooms’ future after costs reached 400,000 a year.

Three options are being considered, SDC retains the venue but makes cost-saving measures, the Sub Rooms are passed to a community group, or to sell the building for £600,000 on the open market.

The main bone of contention between the two current contenders, the Stroud Trust and green energy company Ecotricity, is the continued ownership of the venue by the public.

Around 30 people, who feel that the venue should stay in public ownership and not sold or taken over by another company, gathered on the steps of the Sub Rooms on Friday, October 27) .

Gloucestershire county councillor Eva Ward (Green, Stroud Central), said that as much as she likes Ecotricity, she does not want a private company to take over a publicly-owned building.

“In my personal opinion, as a resident of Stroud since 1972, I believe that the building and its forecourt must remain as a public space,” said Cllr Ward.

“We often talk about improving the centre of Stroud, and have previously talked about expanding the Sub Rooms forecourt to help this, it is in a way the creative heart of the town, and it should stay with the public.

“We can’t sell it off because once it is gone it is gone, it can then pass between companies other than Ecotricity.

“If Dale Vince doesn’t withdraw his buying proposal then I may have to withdraw from Ecotricity as my energy supplier, I’m a great supporter of Forest Green Rovers too but the building must remain with the public.”

The venue was built almost 200 years ago, built in 1834 after subscribers pitched in £2,721 and 10 shillings - the equivalent of about £2 million today.

Alice Wyndham, who has lived in Stroud since 1970, says that people look to the Sub Rooms as the centre of the town and also feels it must remain in public ownership.

“It is a heritage site for Stroud, those of us who live and work here and have grown up here are very proud of it,” said Ms Wyndham.

“People are very attracted by it because it is used by and fit for everyone.

“We need to keep it in public ownership because it is part of the very essence of Stroud.”

Ownership of the Sub Rooms was transferred to what was then called the Stroud Urban District Council in 1962 for the price of £12,000 and has been run by the local authority ever since.

Ecotricity founder Dale Vince (pictured above by Shane Healey) fleshed out his plans for the venue earlier this month, stating that his bid was a hybrid one.

The building's ballroom would act as a meeting place for the company’s cirque 700 staff – based in Wallbridge, Kendrick Street and soon the former tax office – during the daytime hours in the week.

In the evenings and weekends this area would be available for the public, and the entire downstairs facilities would remain open access seven days a week.

“The one thing everybody with a view on the Sub Rooms agrees on is that it should continue to be used as a public venue and centre for arts and entertainment,” said Mr Vince.

“Public ownership is not the only way to achieve that, and is probably not the best way, with public money increasingly in short supply, due to the government’s ongoing ‘austerity’ program.

“Brexit isn’t going to help that. We’ve proposed an alternative to an outright sale and probable loss of public use of the Sub Rooms, and an alternative to continued dependency on public funding - a privately funded public venue.

“Stroud is our backyard and we care about what happens here, we’re willing to take responsibility for the Sub Rooms, but we’re equally happy not to - if there is a better alternative.”

The rival bid from the Stroud Trust would see the community group - backed by the town council - take on the site.

Stroud Town Council has supported the bid with a £10,000 grant to plan a business proposal, it has also agreed to free up £50,000 from its reserves to cover set up costs.

It would take on the freehold for the venue and lease it to the trust.

SDC’s strategy and resources committee will make a final decision on the proposals on Tuesday, December 5 from 7pm.

Prior to this on Saturday, November 18 from 9.30am to 3.30pm there will be a public event at the Sub Rooms at which the report from SDC officers will be published, along with their recommendation.

Members of the public can comment on this report and their views will be collated for members of the strategy of resources committee to help the decision-making process.