New CGI creations show what a town's former hospital will look like after it has been converted into a community hub.

Eastern Daily Press: New CGI creations show what the former Southwold Hospital will look like after it has been converted into a community hub. Picture: SouthGenNew CGI creations show what the former Southwold Hospital will look like after it has been converted into a community hub. Picture: SouthGen (Image: Archant)

The images - designed by illustrator Sam Wilson - bring to life the ideas of community benefit society SouthGen, which has been leading the charge to put the old Southwold Hospital back into use.

Once redevelopment work is complete, the site will provide a new home for Southwold Library, a nursery, a co-working space for local businesses, and a farm-to-fork café supporting local food production.

With SouthGen having partnered with Hastoe Housing Association to purchase the medical facility, it will also accommodate nine affordable homes - four available for rent and five under shared ownership.

A video collating the individual visuals was shown to the public for the first time on Saturday, May 11, as SouthGen held a launch celebration for its community share offer - the final piece of the funding puzzle.

Eastern Daily Press: SouthGen held a special event to celebrate the launch of its community share offer. Picture: SouthGenSouthGen held a special event to celebrate the launch of its community share offer. Picture: SouthGen (Image: Archant)

The group's chairman, Jessica Jeans, said: "When people saw this video for the first time they realised how amazing this space is actually going to be.

"It brings all our ideas to life and brings the future into the present."

In an attempt to reach its overall fundraising target of £725,000, SouthGen's share offer is inviting members of the public to buy a minimum of six community shares at a cost of £25 each.

Buying shares will make them a member of the society and help SouthGen raise the final funds, which Co-operatives UK will match up to the value of £100,000 in shares.

Eastern Daily Press: New CGI creations show what the former Southwold Hospital will look like after it has been converted into a community hub. Picture: SouthGenNew CGI creations show what the former Southwold Hospital will look like after it has been converted into a community hub. Picture: SouthGen (Image: Archant)

Just a few days after the scheme was officially launched, a sum of £196,900 has already been generated through the support of investors from the local area and beyond - rising to £296,900 thanks to Co-operatives UK.

"We are elated with how things are going," added Ms Jeans, who says the group are now looking to hit £350,000. "The launch itself was full of goodwill and people simply enjoying themselves.

"You never know how things like this are going to pan out and you are always concerned about whether it is going to be successful, but the share offer is doing spectacularly well."