A deal has finally been sealed which will keep Stroud’s iconic arts and entertainments venue in public ownership.

Stroud District Council handed over the keys to the Subscription Rooms to new owners and operators on Thursday, marking an historic moment for the landmark building.

The building is now owned by Stroud Town Council, and on the same day a lease was signed which will see the business and staff managed by the Stroud Subscription Rooms Trust.

“This is an historic moment for Stroud, as after a lot of consultation, negotiation and hard work by officers and councillors from both councils and the Trustees, Stroud Subscription Rooms will remain a publicly owned asset at the heart of the community,” said Stroud District Council Leader Doina Cornell (Lab), Green leader Martin Whiteside and Lib Dem leader Ken Tucker in a joint statement.

“We would like to thank our staff who have carried on as normal during what has been a period of some uncertainty for them, and I wish them, the Trust and the Town Council every success for the future.”

In October this year the building will celebrate its 185th birthday, and SDC is investing up to £125,000 in to roof repairs plus giving a one-off grant of £230,000 to help the Trust get off to a sound start. The Town Council has earmarked £83,000 for costs around the transfer and new equipment.

Work is due to start in August on the first phase of improvement works starting with a new bar and café on the ground floor with a new kitchen, a more accessible bar upstairs and an improved access ramp.

Applications for Listed Building and Planning consent (S.19/0614/LBC and S.19/0613/FUL) have been submitted.

Work is due to start in August on the first phase of improvement works starting with a new bar and café on the ground floor with a new kitchen, a more accessible bar upstairs and an improved access ramp.

Future phases will include: retractable seating in the Ballroom; a multi-use space with retractable cinema seating in the George Room; improved toilets, including a fully accessible disabled toilet with adult changing facilities; a new cellar; and improved circulation around the stairs.

Stroud Town Mayor Kevin Cranston said: “In March 2018 we launched a campaign asking people to pledge money to carry out improvements to the Sub Rooms. Nearly £50,000 was pledged and donations have already exceeded £24,000. We now need people to honour those pledges so that the works can go ahead.”

l Visit: thesubrooms.co.uk