Crowdfunding campaign launched in bid to save under threat North Notts Arena

And the first meeting of a new steering group to try and protect the North Notts Arena has also taken place in the last week.

Two weeks ago, we reported how the venue was facing an uncertain future after being turned down for Covid-19 financial help.

General manager Nigel Turner said without such support, the future was uncertain for the precious community asset.

A new Friends of the Arena Action Group has now been set up and held its first meeting last week, which was well attended by local residents.

Nigel said: “It's history repeating itself, back in 2002 the local community saved the facility and here we are again, unfortunately, many of our supporters back then are no longer with us, however, what a great bunch we have driving this appeal.

“We have formulated an initial plan, set ourselves various tasks and targets, including crowdfunding, more specific fundraisers and an email campaign to both councillors and the local community.

“The future of the North Notts Arena is under threat."

Nigel added: “It amazes me and many others that our district council cannot see the value in supporting our community via the arena, they can support retail shops, estate agents, amateur rugby clubs, football clubs and cricket clubs, snooker clubs, pubs, dance schools and working men's clubs and yes that's absolutely great for these businesses or clubs, but, why do Bassetlaw District Council not want to support such a vital, vibrant, well attended local community facility such as the North Notts Arena, why?

“Ironically, the arena covers most of the sports and activities mentioned above and throughout the country many hundreds of indoor bowls clubs have been supported by these grants, yet, Bassetlaw District Council will not support one of the most diverse facilities in the district, why?

“The arena is being penalised because of its large rateable value, £153,000, however, in every other way it is recognised as a small business. If Bassetlaw District Council wanted to support the arena, clearly they could, why not?

“Is there some hidden agenda, having spoken to many local businesses and clubs over the last few days, it is clear that Bassetlaw District Council have the discretion to support our facility, however, they choose not too, why?

“In fourteen and a half years of hard slog and after taking over a facility that had been neglected and was losing £250,000 of taxpayers money per year, we've turned it around and in our time of need and support, we are being ignored, why?”

But David Hill, Interim Director of Corporate Resources and Section 151 Officer at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “We are surprised by Mr Turner’s statement that ‘having spoken to many local businesses and clubs over the last few days, it is clear that Bassetlaw District Council have the discretion to support our facility, however, they choose not to.’

"For the avoidance of doubt, there is no business in Bassetlaw, or to our knowledge, Nottinghamshire with a rateable value as high as £153,000 that has received a grant.

"Our scheme, agreed with all the Nottinghamshire District and Borough Councils is targeted at small businesses, as per the government guidelines. The scheme and how to apply is published on our website and to date we have paid out around a million pounds to eligible businesses.

"Mr Turner’s continued assertion that the council is able to choose to support the arena from this grant is misleading. As previously stated, there are around 52 businesses who would be potentially eligible for support if the grant threshold was raised above £150,000 and to single out the arena for special treatment at their expense would be both wrong and unethical.

“The council does not wish to the see the arena at threat of closure and has written to the trustees asking for them to provide us with information about their current position in order to understand what options there are to safeguard the arena’s future.”

The Go Fund Me Page currently stands at £490 of its £1,000 goal. Find it at https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-north-notts-arena.