Leaders of a community campaign to ensure a former hospital remains open for public use have outlined plans to restore and maintain elements of the much-loved building.

Eastern Daily Press: Southwold Hospital PHOTO: Nick ButcherSouthwold Hospital PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: �archant2016)

The community group, Save Our Southwold (SOS), is to restore the façade of the original building, should their bid to purchase the hospital be successful.

Award winning architect, Ralph Carpenter's elevations and floor plans show the complete removal of the 1960s extensions on the front and side of the 1903 Arts and Crafts building, designed by Thomas Key.

Laurence Vulliamy, leader of the Save Our Southwold group said: 'This is a great opportunity for Southwold and District. If our bid for the hospital is successful this company will take ownership the building and manage it. It also has the capacity to offer shares to community investors.

'We are also indebted to everyone in the town who responded to our fundraising events and appeals. We could not have paid for the architect's essential work or the crucial feasibility study without these essential funds.'

Eastern Daily Press: Diagram: Modece ArchitectsDiagram: Modece Architects (Image: Modece Architects)

Entirely new development is proposed to the west side, and behind the original building.

SOS also commissioned a Feasibility Study from TechEast - an organisation responsible for accelerating the digital economy in East Anglia - which looked at the viability of a digital business hub on the former hospital site in a report delivered in January.

The report confirms more than 60 new jobs could be established in the proposed hub, which would include a larger home for Southwold Library, a farm-to-fork café and much more.

Such jobs could bring valuable footfall to the troubled High Street as well as bringing vitality to the town.

Eastern Daily Press: Picture: courtesy of Southwold MuseumPicture: courtesy of Southwold Museum (Image: courtesy of Southwold Museum)

Also a new Community Benefit Society has been set up by Save Our Southwold called The Southwold and Waveney Valley Regeneration Society Ltd.

This is a not-for-profit limited company, established for the benefit of the community, and controlled by The Financial Conduct Authority.

Save Our Southwold are now waiting to put in their bid for the hospital site.

For more information visit: www.sosa.help.

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