MORE than £1 million could revolutionise how Cinderford is seen as a place to live, work, learn and socialise.

Vacant buildings, lack of community spaces and traffic have been consistent issues for local people, said Cinderford town councillor Chris Brown.

There has also been a problem with the lack of good quality, affordable shop space which puts people off setting up businesses in the town – the vacancy rate for commercial property in Cinderford is 15 per cent which is well above the national average of 10 per cent.

At the heart of the Cinderford project – which would be made up of £880,000 from and £643,000 from Cinderford Town Council if a bid to the government’s Levelling Up Fund is successful – is the transformation of three landmark buildings: Cinderford Methodist Church and Rheola House in Belle Vue Road and the former HSBC Bank in Market Street.

The plan is to create an arts and event centre at the church, a business hub for local enterprise at Rheola House and make the bank a place where home workers can come together as well as for “pop-up” activities.

Cllr Brown said: “Cinderford town centre, like many others, has undergone struggles for many years now – the proposals we are putting forward seek to address these.

“We are going to look to repurpose the old HSBC into a High Street hub for co-working, pop-up activity and a flexible space for other uses including indoor events, markets and similar things.

“It will also include a changing places toilets to improve the accessibility of the town for those with complex needs.

“The last 15 months have demonstrated the capabilities for remote working leading to an increase in community participation as evidenced by the incredible mutual aid response we’ve seen locally and increase in volunteering. 

“It’s also created a significant reduction in traffic and related emissions. With safer conditions we are sure we can increase local footfall. 

“There are examples all over the country of remote working hubs where people can come together on a local level and work in their communities retaining and creating high skilled jobs in supportive environments. 

“The majority of working age people leave Cinderford and the Forest of Dean on a daily basis – if we could bring one per cent of that footfall back into our High Street that would be transformative for the town. 

“Of course our aspirations are greater than that. Cinderford Town Council and partners have committed £642,500 in match funding to make these aspirations a reality including a dedicated buildings and assets manager to oversee these assets and seek out additional opportunities for our community.

“Rheola House business hub involves the consolidation of an under-utilised building for local enterprises and start-ups offering a clear pathway to take on High Street premises providing support for local innovation and employment. 

“Cinderford Methodist Church is a community asset and it has been agreed by the council to purchase from reserves. 

“This will become a community and arts centre with leaseholders and regular uses identified. 

“Refurbishment will be required and is costed as part of this bid to make this into a quality venue the community can be proud of. 

“With the likes of Artspace, Canopy, Wyldwood Arts and The Music Works all on our doorstep, this space will have all the ingredients to grow local talents and bring live music, arts and theatre to the Forest of Dean.”

There will also be a boost for green infrastructure including charging points for electric cars and bikes, solar panels as well as the use of “sustainable” construction methods.

Cllr Brown said Cinderford was developing a model that other towns in the district could follow.

“They have the enthusiasm but they are not quite ready to go but they are keen to learn from what we can achieve and how they can adopt similar approaches in the future

“We need a town centre that can match the ambition of the hospital and college and other developments.

“If I felt this was just Cinderford going alone it wouldn’t be of interest to me as a councillor – this is bigger than that.”