People in Odd Down have come together to try and find a solution for an eyesore that has blighted the heart of their community for many years.
The former supermarket on Noad’s Corner is almost derelict but there is hope it could be developed as a charity-run centre.
Odd Down Community Association (ODCA) was set up in 2008 to fight a successful battle to save the area’s youth centre.
It has been trying to persuade the Co-op, which owns the lease on the property, to hand over running of the building to charity for a period of 18 months.
Chair of ODCA, Paul Solly said: “The shop has become an eyesore. It is the second largest retail unit in Odd Down and should be an important asset to the community.
“We are very encouraged by the response to our petition. It confirms that people in Odd Down are fed up with the shop being empty and want the Co-op to do something about it.”
The Co-operative Society has finally responded, saying it is “willing to look at a community use for the empty unit” but it is early days and there is a lot of work to be done.
The petition, calling on the Co-operative Society to hand over the empty shop’s running to charity, was started at the Odd Down Cycle Fest on Saturday 12th July.
More than 60 people signed it, showing the strength of feeling locally. They include the Gadher family from Odd Down and Prospective Parliamentary Candidates, Dominic Tristram (Green) and Steve Bradley (Lib Dem), who are in the running to replace Don Foster as MP for Bath.
The group has been inviting residents to come up with ideas for the future of the building.
Many suggested a community cafe – providing employment for homeless people, young people and adults with disabilities.
Other ideas ranged from a cycle workshop (Odd Down Cycle Circuit is two minutes away by bike) and computer centre to a snooker hall and charity headquarters.
The shop is large enough to house a number of projects and the suggestions will be investigated by a group made up of local churches and organisations.
It aims to ensure the shop is opened up to the community in a way that is practical and long-lasting. For more information, contact [email protected].