Analysis of existing community campaign 1

Baldock Town Hall 

This campaign was published in the comet as the Baldock town hall hasn't been used for years. A group called the "Baldock Town Hall Group" formed, the chairman of this group, Alison Gentle, made a proposal to the council where it was agreed by members to spend £50,000 on the building for essential repairs to bring it back into community use.

Mrs Gentle said: "We are just awaiting some final changes in wording to the lease on one remaining point concerning lease review periods and we should be there.”

The "Baldock Town Hall Group" have already planned and lined up a programme of events that can take place at the town hall, such as: a regular comedy club, kids and adults cinema club and there are also some concerts lined up for the summer. A story-telling festival is also set to be held in October, where there will be two weeks of events with the town hall being the central hub. 

The town hall on Baldock High Street has stood empty for more than three years and the group formed in a bid to use it for the arts, as well as for education and training purposes. Transforming the town hall would be very beneficial, it would attract many residents in Baldock as there would be more to do. It is very likely that the group have handed out leaflets and fliers to help with the campaign however there doesn't seem to be an official poster. it is also very likely that the group would have started a website as well to encourage the council and to get people involved. 

Mrs gentle said: "We have undertaken quite a sizeable project to bring Baldock Town Hall back into community use. We envisage a vibrant arts and heritage centre in the middle of Baldock town as an asset to Baldock and the renovation work that has been undertaken here recently."

"The group would have liked to have occupied the hall by now."

The group have been very successful wit their campaign as a 99-year lease is being proposed by NHDC, plus five-yearly rent reviews to recognise the fact that the group could change over time, and it might become more commercial in its outlook than currently proposed.