BUSINESSES around Blandford are looking to collaborate with one another to rent out the disused NatWest building to create a hub for small businesses in the town centre.

The idea is that businesses band together to cover the rent of the building and give residents a one-stop shop to support businesses and increase footfall in the town.

The hub could also provide a space for a community arts gallery or a workshop space.

The person behind the plan, Sarah Damon of The Old Grainstore Emporium, said the hub would look to curb the spate of recent business closures in the town.

Ms Damon said she initially looked at renting the NatWest building herself but the high cost proved a barrier, so she put the word out to see if any other businesses around the town wanted to split the rent and share a premises on the High Street.

“The response was amazing,” she said.

“I met up with ‘neighbours’ of mine at The Grainhouse site who run a vegan takeaway business (Pico Pando) who were looking to open in a café in Blandford and that for me was the writing in the sky as I feel that the type of place I envisaged can offer somewhere to meet, drink coffee and have a bite to eat – a social hub.”

Ms Damon said the group of businesses will set up a charity to provide access to funding to complete the necessary improvements and repairs to the building.

She added: “We also hope that once this project has been achieved the charity will be able to assist other businesses get funding needed to improve the town i.e. bring in more business and increase economic growth to save our high street!

“So although it may seem that encouraging businesses to make more profit goes against the grain of a non profit charity it actually makes great sense as it will benefit the whole population – increase retail opportunities, improve the appearance of the town by making money available to struggling businesses and increase employment.”

The group is seeking trustees for the charity as well as guarantors to secure the lease of the building as well as benefactors so the can start improvements to the building while they apply for funding.

If you think you can help, email sarahrdamon@outlook.com