Malton residents are being asked to take part in a final consultation that will help inform the town's Wesley Centre redevelopment.

Major works to complete its transformation into a major community hub and concert venue are due to start in late spring.

The historic building, in Saville Street, was at risk of permanent closure in 2015 after significant structural issues with the roof were found. Consultations with the community, clubs, charities, local government and other stakeholders began in 2016 to determine its future.

Paul Emberley, Wesley Centre Development Lead, said: “The initial extensive consultation with Malton residents in 2016 found there was a dearth of buildings for community use, so that became a driving force behind the redevelopment plans.”

As well as being at the heart of Malton for more than 210 years, the building is of national significance as a Grade II* listed Methodist Church.

Paul said: “It’s more than just saving a beautiful building; it’s about providing new spaces for an expanding community as Malton and Norton continues to grow. There are even fewer community facilities now than they were when we began our initial consultation in 2016.”

Once complete, the Wesley Centre will continue to offer Sunday services, but as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, it is committed to be inclusive to all and serve a wide variety of community interest groups, partly re-purposed as a classical concert and events venue, with a unique all-day every day café, to ensure the building is sustainable and viable for generations to come.

Over the last few years, the Wesley Centre has undergone big improvements to its adjacent office space and made essential repairs to the roof and ceiling of the Wesley Centre. Before the pandemic, it hosted around 20 community groups, and it continues to host the Malton Free Fridge project.

One of the final stages of the transformation tackles its main space, which will be a state-of-the-art 600-seat auditorium. The charity has already installed one of the most sophisticated live-stream broadcast systems for community and commercial use in the region, thanks to a major grant from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage.

Paul added: “Our ambition is to have top-end artists so local residents won’t always have to travel to big cities to access world-class events.”

The proposed designs will see a new entrance from Saville Street, more toilet facilities, better access with a lift, professional catering and a new community café, with modern facilities for banqueting, receptions and other events.

He said: “This is a building for the public, and so it’s hugely important that residents get involved. This final consultation in the form of a questionnaire, will be crucial in fine-tuning our plans. It’s an exciting step for Malton.”

Questionnaires are being posted to households this week and can be returned via Freepost.