CAMPAIGNERS hoping to halt the sale of Bridgwater’s historic Magistrates’ Courthouse are urging the district council to intervene.

The century-old building, which closed in 2011, has been on the market since 2013 and is due to go to auction tomorrow (Wednesday).

 

Bridgwater Mercury:

THE tour took in the cells where those awaiting their hearing would be held.

 

Bridgwater town councillor Brian Smedley has written to Sedgemoor District Council asking it to step in and consider buying the property to bring it back into the public domain.

The appeal comes after campaigners held a public tour of the courthouse on Friday morning which saw residents gather at the building in Northgate for a rare look inside, including the cells and the old court room which heard up to 150 cases each week.

Speaking to the Mercury, Cllr Smedley said: “It would be perfect for the council with its current site, Bridgwater House, being full.

“People in Bridgwater are clearly concerned about their heritage. “It shows people care about what happens to their town.

 

Bridgwater Mercury:

CHELSEA Besley, nine, in the old cells.

 

“We’ve had some great suggestions for the use of the building and we now need to move quickly.

“We want it registered as a community asset because the danger is that somebody potentially dodgy signs it up.”

Derek Gibson, of Bridgwater Civic Society, said: “This is a community affair that should attract support from politicians and the public from the very top to the bottom.

 

Bridgwater Mercury:

DEREK Gibson, of Bridgwater & District Civic Society, gives a brief history of the building.

 

“We need to make sure the building is kept and used for the good of the community.”

 

Bridgwater Mercury:

A VIEW from inside the cells.

Campaigners fear that the building may be bought and turned into residential properties, but under the Localism Act 2011 the sale of any building granted community asset status must be deferred for six months if a community group wishes to buy it.