EARLY applications are being taken for room hire at a community centre in Malmesbury that is undergoing a major refurbishment.

The Malmesbury Riverside Community Centre, which is due to reopen in the New Year, has opened up the application process for room hire.

The centre has had £250,000 earmarked for its redevelopment from Wiltshire Council.

Friends of Riverside, a local group of volunteers, have been working in partnership with Wiltshire Council for the past three years to develop the centre in Malmesbury.

They are hoping to see as many people as possible using the centre and are offering “reasonable” hiring costs.

The cheapest rooms will be available for hire from only £6 per hour, with the main hall costing £12.50 on weekdays and £15 on Saturdays.

Concerns had previously been raised that the centre would detract from bookings at the town hall, subsequently taking funding away from the town council and giving it to Wiltshire Council.

Kim Power, chairwoman of Friends of Riverside and Malmesbury Town Council member, said will not be the case.

“This is a new centre for the whole of the Malmesbury Community Area and complements the range of other local venues,” she said.

“This new centre will be run by Friends of Riverside, all of whom are committed volunteers with a wealth of experience from their community work in the local area.

“We have been working with Wiltshire Council for three years to make this happen and are now at the point where we have set the room hire charges for when the centre is open in the New Year.

“We have made the charges as affordable as we can, because we wish to see as many people as possible use and enjoy Riverside.”

The group have said they are are also interested in promoting community area-wide projects where as many residents as possible will have the opportunity to be included.

A spokesperson for the Friends of Riverside said: “We believe our aims are especially important because of the rural nature of the area where some people find it difficult to travel because of transport issues or because of age, disability or frailty.

“Remember the Malmesbury Community Area covers a vast area of 20 parishes.”

Located next to the Co-op on Gloucester Road, the building is currently undergoing refurbishment and will be open in the New Year.

People can sign up for a regular e-newsletters about the Riverside by either emailing info@riversidecommunitycentre.org.uk or calling 01666 825113.

For more information visit riversidecommunitycentre.org.uk