A MAJOR project to restore a historic building in the centre of Tavistock will go on show to the public this weekend.

Kingdon House in Pym Street was built in 1911 — one of the last buildings in Tavistock to be built by the Duke of Bedford. It was home to the Tavistock Gazette for some 60 years and since the late 1970s has been home to Kingdon House Community Association.

But the ageing building is now suffering serious structural problems.

Community association manager Karen Woodward said the building was constructed of stone and after about 100 years it had become 'a bit like a sponge'.

She said:?'We have lots of problems with water penetration and damp, and it's not something that can be easily repaired.

'Another problem we have is access. It's actually built on the hill and inside, it's a mass of stairs, which means it isn't very accessible for many people.'

Karen said the trustees wanted to see the building continue to provide the facilities and a base for the many community groups that use Kingdon House.

It is home to the Citizens' Advice Bureau and Westcountry Housing Association. It is also used by the Jobcentre and dozens of local organisations, including drug and alcohol support groups, political groups, yoga classes, dance and art and choirs.

Karen said: 'There must be about 50 groups that regularly use Kingdon House.

'We really want to maintain it as a community association for the people of Tavistock.

'It is going to be a major, long-term project and we know it's going to mean big money, but the alternative is to let it decay and become unusable, and that would be awful.

'We've spent the last five years doing fix-it jobs, but long-term, that's just not going to work.'

The trustees aim to put a business plan together and apply for grant funding to pay for the work.

As part of the plan, they have already surveyed users of the building, to establish the best way Kingdon House could be internally re-arranged, to meet the needs of the various community groups in the coming years.

Karen said: 'The message from a recent postal survey is clear — providing good access into, and throughout, the building must underpin any considerations about layout.

'Whilst the current mix of room sizes seems to be appropriate, ensuring comfort with good heating, ventilation and sound insulation must also be a priority.'

As part of the consultation exercise, this Saturday, March 12, there will be an open day, when users of the building and members of the public can come in and see a computer model of the building, specially designed by local architect Stephen Wettem, along with some displays showing the structural problems the building faces.

They will also be able to put forward their own suggestions or ideas.

The plans will be on show between 10am and 1pm and the trustees will be available to answer questions

Tea, coffee and home-made cake is on offer and a bring and buy sale will also be running. All are welcome.