A CONSERVATION trust has announced its intention to repair and restore a historic building in Chard town centre.

The Somerset Building Preservation Trust said its aim is to “conserve the building on 9 Fore Street and connect the wider community with centuries of history in the centre of Chard”.

A document from the trust also added its aim “is to engage with the diverse population of Somerset, tailor the repairs and alterations to this historically important building to suit a communal purpose for the widest benefit, and ensure the best quality workmanship to secure the building for future centuries”.

In May 2023 Somerset Building Preservation Trust bought the lease of the building on Fore Street from Somerset Council at the same time that they acquired the freehold with funding from Historic England.

The Architectural Heritage Fund is a grant aiding the writing of the Viability Report. Advice and media guidance are provided by the South West Heritage Trust.

The SBPT has renegotiated the sublease with the existing tenants of the shop front, The Hub, which is a support group for the extensive Chard community.

The Somerset Building Preservation Trust is a charitable organisation that repairs and restores buildings of historical interest that would otherwise be lost and brings them back into beneficial use within communities.

The Trust promotes higher standards of architectural design through its William Stansell Historic Building Awards and encourages the use of apprenticeships to teach traditional skills in conservation.

To learn more about the trust and its work and how you can become involved in helping to save this most important building visit https://www.sbpt.info/ and refer to the Somerset Building Preservation Trust YouTube Channel to see Episodes of “Saving No 9”.

You can also visit this link for more details.