Future of Swaffham’s Sacred Heart Barn could be revealed soon despite worries town is being ‘sold short’

The future of a former school and theatre venue could soon be revealed despite worries that residents are being “sold short”.

Swaffham Town Council first purchased The Sacred Heart Barn in 2022 after extensive negotiations and consultations in the preceding years.

It had previously been used by the former Sacred Heart School for productions, music practice and activities.

The council says it bought the building “with the aim of providing a community hub embracing the arts and culture”.

However, Swaffham resident Meg Heale, who worked at the school for around 25 years before it closed before running various art workshops at the venue, claims councillors have went back on that promise.

She says this is because they are now exploring alternative options for using the building.

“They have failed miserably,” Ms Heale told the Lynn News.

“I am upset on behalf of the town, who have been waiting for this ever since the school closed.

“The town doesn’t know anything about it. That is not the right way to behave.

“It is the whole community that is being sold short.”

The town council's bid to purchase the venue was accepted by the trustees in June 2020 following two meetings on the issue.

At the time, it included an art room, auditorium, pottery and kiln rooms, music rooms and an outdoor swimming pool with changing rooms.

A consultation was held to canvas local opinion on the use of the centre so that it could become an asset for the town.

Now, a spokesperson for the town council has told the Lynn News: “Swaffham Town Council purchased The Sacred Heart Barn and its contents in 2022 with the aim of providing a community hub embracing the arts and culture.

“Since purchasing The Barn, the town council has undertaken work to upgrade and future proof the building, ready for a suitable organisation to occupy.

“There have been a number of enquiries from community organisations interested in occupying The Barn and the town council is currently in legal negotiation with an established and long-standing Swaffham charity, who wish to lease The Barn with the aim to provide a community wellbeing centre, working alongside other community groups, local businesses and other charities to provide community access.”

At a town council meeting late last year, Cllr Sarah Pickard urged her counterparts to offer support and take action for the swimming pool to be brought back to life.

She was speaking on behalf of the Swaffham Swimming Pool Charity - a group she is part of.

At the time, some councillors had doubts over this programme, with some stating that the land could be used for another purpose.

The exact future of the swimming pool remains unclear.

Ms Heale claims she has held various meetings with the town council regarding the use of the building.

She said she agreed to leave several of her own belongings inside in the hope that they could be used moving forward, but recently found out that many were being thrown out.

She therefore had to make a last-ditch to recover them, but was not able to salvage all of her items - which included pieces of pottery.

The town council was asked about these claims, but did not respond directly to them.