Bakewell Town and Community Trust (BTCT) is a registered Charitable Company established in January 2006.
The main purpose of the BTCT is to take over and manage the restoration and re-launch of the 19th century Town Hall, an important community building in the centre of Bakewell which has been neglected for many years.
The Town Hall, currently run by the Town Council, is not realising its full potential as a venue for the arts or commerce, and is inaccessible in many respects as a community facility.
BTCT is aiming to renovate the building and make it accessible to all members of the community. Research has identified that there is a shortage of conference and community meeting places in the area, particularly offering access to modern technology such as wi-fi and hearing loops.
The BTCT’s objectives are to:
- Improve and modernise an existing important building
- Improve and enhance the environmental viability of the building
- Provide a facility that is sustainable economically and is justified by wide community usage
- Improve the commercial and economic potential of the local economy
- Ensure accessibility is as far reaching as possible to all groups and ages in the community
- Work alongside key partners in the statutory and voluntary sectors to identify gaps in provision and provide facilities for events
- Be the first choice in offering a superb ‘conference ready’ facility in the heart of the Peak District for business; and to facilitate and promote economic re-generation
Currently the Bakewell Town Plan is being developed and BTCT is a key partner in the process, contributing ideas and moving it forward. There is no Town Partnership in place, and the members of the Trust view themselves as representing the community in regard to this important function.
The Trustees/Directors of BTCT have an excellent range of business, financial and public sector experience and skills. In addition, the membership base stands in excess of 50 members, and good working relationships have been developed with other prominent groups, for example, the Peak National Park Authority, District and County Councils, Bakewell Community Interest Group, and local schools.