A PROJECT to turn a disused chapel into a vibrant community centre in Winterbourne has been halted.

A committee of local parents had wanted to breathe new life into Ebenezer Chapel, at Watleys End, and transform the privately-owned chapel into an arts and craft community space and café.

Despite receiving huge public support and a South Gloucestershire Council grant of £3,000 to kickstart the refurbishment, the Hat Factory committee, named after the historic hatting industry in Winterbourne, has been forced to abandon the project because of the scale and cost of works needed to bring the chapel up to standard.

Mandy Nicholls, who came up with the idea after driving past the chapel every day to take her two sons to school at Elm Park Primary School, said: “We were looking at £400,000 to buy it and get it sorted and that was a conservative figure.

“Our philosophy had been we would fundraise the money to do a section at a time but a surveyors’ report said 95 per cent of the work needed doing immediately.

“This means that the level of fundraising required for the project would be a huge commitment and we would have to ask the community to invest in the chapel project over and above other existing facilities.”

Mrs Nicholls added: “After a lot of thought and with great sadness, we have taken the decision not to proceed with the project, as we consider it unfeasible to try to save the chapel building, which is part of the historic fabric of Watleys End.”

The group had gained a lot of support for the project from residents of Winterbourne. In response, it has looked for alternative venues to provide the community space and two of its members, including Mrs Nicholls, have now been employed at Winterbourne Community Centre.

They are tasked with increasing the use of the centre and attracting a younger demographic.

The centre is holding an open day on Saturday, October 31 (10am to late) which will include demonstrations, crafts, stalls and live music in the evening. All are welcome.