Stroud District Council has received a proposal from Stroud Town Council to run Stroud Subscription Rooms.

Details of the proposal will be on the district council's website by 5pm tomorrow (Wednesday 7th March).

There will be a public consultation event about the proposal on 17th March, before the council's next strategy and resources committee meeting. District council staff and elected district councillors will be on hand at the event from 10am until 12pm in the George Room in the Subscription Rooms to answer questions.

In the meantime, Stroud Town Council has launched a campaign to raise £100,000 in pledges to carry out improvements to the Sub Rooms and ensure its future as a community-owned venue.

Kevin Cranston, town mayor (pictured), said: "For the moment we are simply asking people to make a pledge to demonstrate to the district council that there is wide-ranging community support to create a viable and vibrant cultural and arts centre.

"During the past 12 months thousands of people have called for the Sub Rooms to be kept in public ownership.

"If our offer to Stroud District Council is successful, we will launch a detailed plan for the future of the Subs at which time we'll be looking for vital early donations as we get up and running."

The money would be used to improve the toilets and provide a new bar and cafe. These improvements were highlighted by people who completed a recent Town Council survey.

After the public consultation event on 17th March, a group consisting of the district council's four party leaders will review the proposal and the public consultation response, then make a recommendation to the council's strategy and resources committee. That meeting will take place at Ebley Mill on 12th April from 7pm.

Council leader Doina Cornell said: "We are having to review the lease at a time when there is pressure on finances to try and preserve council services as best we can. We look forward to reading the proposal."

Stroud District Council made a decision in December not to sell the freehold of Stroud Subscription Rooms and the associated forecourt, then invited bids from prospective tenants to run the iconic venue.

Among the first people to support the Subs Pledge campaign are Stroud author Katie Fforde and Cotswolds-based actress Emma Samms.

Katie said: "The Sub Rooms was one of the first buildings we saw when we came house hunting in Stroud 38 years ago. It is essential that it stays there for the people of Stroud. It is part of all our lives now."

Actress Emma Samms, who lives in the Cotswolds, said: "Stroud has always been known as a culturally diverse and creative town with the heart and soul of a community. Every community needs a cultural hub, somewhere people can go to meet others, broaden their horizons or simply escape into an evening of theatre or music."

People can make their pledge online on: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SubsPledge  or by mobile on

www.surveymonkey.com/r/WDQ7JJL . Printed pledge forms are available from the Town Council offices or download from the website www.stroudtown.gov.uk 

The campaign hashtag is #subspledge