Famous broadcaster backs appeal to safeguard historic building’s future

Broadcaster Selina Scott is giving her backing for the major redevelopment of an iconic building in a Yorkshire market town in a bid to safeguard its future.

Located in the heart of Malton, the Methodist Church has launched a £1m appeal to fund its regeneration.

The building would be renamed the Wesley Centre with plans to equip it as a place of worship and as a community hub which visitors and the community can use.

Paul Emberley, Wesley Centre development lead, said: “Conservationists say this building is very special. There are only 41 Grade II listed Methodist buildings in Britain, and ours is just one of two such buildings in the entire Yorkshire North and East Methodist Church District. There are only three other Grade II Methodist Churches in Britain that are older. It’s a rare surviving example.”

The building which has been on Saville Street in Malton for more than 207 years was designed by the architect Rev William Jenkins, who worked alongside John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. It is one of only two surviving Grade II listed building designed by Jenkins in Britain that are still in regular use today.

Scott, who lives in north Yorkshire, said: “Malton, and its Methodist church, is dear to my heart. My grandfather used to be a Wesleyan preacher in Malton. My father, Charles, was chairman of Ryedale District Council, the authority governing Malton, so this heritage is precious to me.”

The building has twice been put up for sale and was at risk of permanent closure after the discovery of a significant structural issue with its roof in September 2015.

An extensive consultation with Malton residents in 2016 uncovered a dearth of buildings for community use – a driving force behind the redevelopment plans.

Emberley added: “But it’s much more than simply saving a very fine building, it’s about providing new spaces for a growing community too. Over its 200 year history the building has been at the centre of community life and we intend to revitalise that.”

Now that the roof has been fully repaired at a cost of more than £120,000, plans for the Wesley Centre include a 550-seat space for concerts, conferences, banqueting and other events, and with a large café open each day, all to help fuel a solid business plan to maintain the building for future generations.

One of its key attractions will be the reinstatement of a large restored historic pipe organ after the original was removed 20 years ago.

Scott added: “We’ve seen beautiful buildings similar to this across the country completely gutted and turned into pubs or supermarkets. One of the issues I passionately campaign against is developers being given carte blanche to wreck beauty. The ancient market town of Malton shows that rural economies can succeed while cherishing and safeguarding the qualities that give the beautiful and friendly town so much of its character. I know Malton treasures its heritage, and will get behind the appeal to safeguard this beautiful building.”