SUPPORTERS of a community hub have launched an appeal for funds after recording severe losses during 2020.

St Mary's Church House Hall, located next to St Mary's Church on South Street, Bridport has seen a 70 per cent drop in hire income and a 40 per cent drop in reserves over the past year.

Prior to the pandemic, the hall tended to be busy and thriving, hosting regular activities including yoga, slimming, bingo, music, dance, antiques fairs and more. As a result of Covid and the tightened restrictions, the hall was closed for a total of 235 days in 2020. It has remained closed for the entirety of 2021 so far and will only be able to open for very limited activities when restrictions are reduced on Monday, April 12.

Although the building is owned by the Magna Housing Association, the hall itself is now leased to a registered charity - St Mary’s Church House Hall Trust - and is run by a management committee of volunteer representatives.

The trustees are responsible for all internal upkeep of the hall - even when closed this still includes insurance and utilities, along with the cleaning, maintenance and repair associated with an old building. All income derives from hiring out the hall.

A Crowdfunding appeal has therefore been launched by the committee with a target of raising £10,000 to cover existing and predicted losses during 2020 and 2021.

Chairman of the committee, Monty Crook - who has also has been actively seeking additional funds from a wide range of local and national sources - said: "It is such a significant building which has been at the heart of the town and its community for more than 100 years.

"It is so appreciated by all its regular users and it needs to be kept as a viable concern to be available for many years to come."

If you would like to donate, visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/saving-st-marys-church-house-hall

For further information, contact Monty Crook on 01308 423442, or email montycrook@rocketmail.com