A MUCH loved Tavistock community building is looking to change its name — and local residents are being asked to get involved.

Kingdon House on Pym Street is currently undergoing weatherproofing works to save the building for future use and with this, the Kingdon House committee feels it is time for a change of name.

Kingdon House was once home to the printworks of the Tavistock Gazette but it has been 40 years since the newspaper stopped printing and designing at the building. It has since been a community centre dedicated to well-being groups, art classes, dance instruction, function room hire and events hosting.

Manager Karen Woodward said: ‘It is now a time of change. Thousands of pounds have been raised recently to renovate this Grade II listed building and it is felt that a new name would go well with a new facelift, welcoming in a new era of this community centre.

‘We want to invite everyone to take part in the “name change challenge” and come up with a name that would fit well with this community-focused building that has a heritage of being a printworks and has a key role in Tavistock’s history.

‘The future is looking bright for the building and there is no sign of anything stopping after 40 years as a community hub in the centre of Tavistock.’

The weather proofing works are expected to finish by the middle of March.

Mrs Woodward added: ‘I want to thank everyone for their support during this time, including Tavistock Townscape Heritage Initiative and Greater Dartmoor Leaf.

‘The building is part of the reason Tavistock achieved UNESCO World Heritage status in part because it was it was commissioned by the Duke of Bedford and designed in the classic “arts and crafts” architecture style.

‘The beautiful windows and walling along with a distinctive roof line means there is much to love about the building.’

If you would like to submit a suggestion for Kingdon House’s new name challenge, only written paper entry forms will be accepted. You can post them into the box or through the door at Kingdon House, Pym Street, Tavistock, PL19 0AW.