A FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN to turn a Victorian building in Denbigh into a self-sufficient community arts hub could provide a platform for aspiring artists in the town and help youngsters to develop their life skills.

Carriageworks, the three-storey Grade II listed former horse-drawn carriage factory built on Love Lane, Denbigh in 1868 has rooms that have been empty for nearly two decades since the closure of its restaurant and second-hand furniture shop while the owners have been busy with projects elsewhere.

Over the last five years, volunteers Lynne Wilson, Rob Parkes and Veronica Hepworth-Taylor have staged art exhibitions, music concerts and skills workshops on the ground floors but now want to take permanent ownership of the old building and use all three floors by making it energy efficient and easy to access for disabled people.

They believe a single cash injection of £450,000 which could be obtained from the Welsh Government or Big Lottery would make Carriageworks self-sufficient, but first they need to raise £3,500 to cover the costs of the overheads for while they undergo the time-consuming six-month grant application process.

Lynne, who is retired, said: “We want to be a self-sufficient social enterprise, raising money from the coffee shop as well as room hire and retail.

“We’re in the process of proving to the funding bodies that we were are doing has viability.

“We are putting an architectural plan because we want to buy the building but we need the funding and, because funding bodies don’t cover overheads in the meantime, we need the community’s help.

“It is a difficult financial climate with Brexit and funding is becoming increasingly competitive and difficult to obtain.”

If the major grant is secured, the trio would purchase the building, carry out architectural work, remove the overheads and make the building self-sufficient.

It would include a full-time space for nearby artists and musicians to display and perform their work, a brand-new kitchen for a coffee shop and café, and a space for skills building activities such as arts workshops.

Lynne said: “We would improve the energy efficiency of the building through the architectural work because there is currently no in-built heating system and the walls are an awkward mix of stone, breezeblock and brick. We would also make the building more accessible for the disabled as there are not many places in Denbigh for disabled people to visit.

“It is a fantastic music venue because it has very good acoustics, and it would be an exhibition space for local artists, giving them the experience of performing and displaying their work which they need to develop. They might even make some sales, and if the public buy handcrafted work then their money would be going back into the local economy.

“I always say that personal development leads to community development, which then leads to economic development.

“It would help upcoming artists and youngsters to have confidence in themselves.”

Maureen Sanders, who has owned Carriageworks with husband Christopher since 1983, said the building is not on the open market because they believe in the trio’s project and will await the funding application result. She said: “The plan would be very good for the town.

“Carriageworks brings a lot of people in from all over the place and there is nowhere else in Denbigh for artists to exhibit their work.

“The building retains much of its original character and we want it to be put to use.”

Councillors have also lent their support to the campaign.

Catherine Jones, mayor of Denbigh said she has already seen the benefits Carriageworks has had on the community. She said: “Carriage works is a wonderful venue for the community. Some of the art work that has been on display had been outstanding. The courses they have had there have really helped people. I wish them my very best for the future

Mark Young, county councillor for Denbigh and lead member for equality, said: “I fully support any projects that supports all our community’s develop resilience. Making it user friendly for people with disabilities is fantastic and I wish them all the best with fulfilling their ambitions.”

Glenn Swingler, county councillor for Denbigh added: “Carriageworks is a fantastic local amenity. I have seen a lot of what they do personally, from promoting local artists, working with children and those with disabilities.

“Art is a magnificent route of therapy for 'everyone' and I support their cause totally.”

To donate to the Carriageworks fundraiser, visit the fundraising page.