THE search is on to find Bridport's popular Trick Factory new premises now it has finally closed its doors after 17 years.

Saturday sees a fundraising event from noon outside Bridport Arts Centre to raise awareness of the need for a new home and to raise money to pay for it.

The event is being put on by the Community Youth Project.

Joe Hewetson from the project said: "This is an event for anyone who feels, as we do, that the Trick Factory is too valuable to lose. Our aim is to raise awareness as to the closing of Bridport's 17 year standing indoor skatepark with hope of raising enough money to find a new venue and rebuild the indoor park.

"A half-pipe skate ramp will be on the forecourt of the arts centre accompanied by a demonstration from some of Bridport's finest. Kitchen Collective will be providing locally sourced food as well as Them Voices Poor - a local accoustic duo."

Robert Ridge, who has been at the helm of the Trick Factory for its 17 years has been busy, with helpers dismantling the ramps of the indoor skatepark on the St Michael's trading estate. He was given notice in May and has to finally hand the keys back at the end of the month.

He said: "It was hoped that once people realized after many threats of closure over the years the facility had actually closed some one or organisation would step up/reach out and provide TTF an olive branch with the view/prospect of continuing.

"Despite others and myself spending lots of time and effort looking at possibilities nothing has come to fruition. Frustratingly there are local people in positions where they could provide help but chose not to. To paraphrase for the umpteenth time all we need is a unit /shell of a building, minimum size of a double garage, minimum height 15 feet.)

"We share the frustrations of many small businesses in Bridport in that there is little in the way of suitable and/or affordable small workshops/units in the locality.

"Aside from presently working up to 50 hours a week in my day job what spare time I have is being spent clearing TTF premises.

"If this event can “pull a rabbit out of a hat” then great but I don’t see that offer of a building to occupy coming in to view any time soon.More than happy to be proved wrong."

Mr Hewetson said Saturday's event will start the first of a series of crowd-funding campaigns, which will go some way towards covering the rent and renovation of any new premises found.