Huge efforts are underway to create a new social centre in Bromham, after a devastating blaze destroyed the village’s previous building.

The old social centre had served Bromham for nearly 50 years and hosted a huge variety of events and classes.

The building, and adjoining pub The Owl, were both reduced to a shell following June’s fire.

Now, a sub-committee has been formed to help move forward from the tragedy.

A consultation process will begin in the village in September, with a questionnaire to garner the views of villagers on what they want to see in their new social centre.

In the meantime, a temporary school building has been donated in lieu of a social centre.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:

Local councillor, and deputy leader of Wiltshire Council, Laura Mayes, said: “It is great how the recovery team have come together to work so effectively. I am working with colleagues from the Devizes Area Board to agree further support for the Bromham community to ensure the temporary building can be up and running as soon as possible.”

Chairman of the social centre rebuild sub-committee is Bromham Parish Councillor Jonathan Seed, who is also a Wiltshire Councillor for Melksham Without West and Rural.

He said: “What we have done is put a leaflet out over the last fortnight informing people of the plans and coming consultation.

“We want this replacement to be what people really want and a huge amount of work has already gone into this in the last few weeks.”

The Parish Council’s insurance policy covers £742k building insurance - which includes site clearance and rebuild and professional fees - and £53k contents insurance. Their insurers, Aviva, and the Parish Council will jointly be making a claim against the roofing company for the whole cost of the rebuild.

It is thought that costs for a rebuild could vary upwards from £1 million.