Locals winning the war against tourists in the seaside Cornish town! Residents have raised more than £1m to buy their hospital from the NHS to stop it being turned into holiday flats
The hospital, which was closed three years ago, will remain a health centre
Cornish locals celebrated today after raising more than £1million to buy from the NHS to stop their hospital being turned into holiday flats.
Residents in the seaside resort of St Ives were worried their only hospital would be turned into flats and used for holiday accommodation – but they hope to keep it as a health and wellness center after raising funds to buy it.
Councilor Kirsty Arthur, mayor of St Ives, described it as a ‘fairytale ending’ for the community, adding: ‘So often we see valuable amenities in our town disappear but this time, the community has won.
I cannot speak highly enough of the determination of ‘Friends’ to carry on in the face of such challenges. But in the end, it all comes down to partnership.
With an incredible fundraising campaign and community support, locals managed to raise £1,020,000 worth of NHS property services
Pictured: St Ives residents rejoice after successfully buying their only hospital
‘This is a really great example of where local councils and communities can work together to achieve great things.
‘We are very proud to have played our part and all the teams, friends, the town council, the NHS and our local MP, Derek Thomas (who has been incredibly active behind the scenes) have made it work,’ he added.
Prospects for Edward Hein Memorial Hospital looked bleak after the NHS decided to close it and sell it on the open market three years ago.
As a public body the NHS needs to get the best possible value for reinvestment in services.
With property so expensive in Cornwall the community feared their beloved facility would be redeveloped into holiday accommodation.
However, campaign group The Friends of Farmer Edward Hein asked the town council to negotiate directly with the NHS, which it was able to do as a public body.
Using these capabilities it enables friends to buy directly from the site instead of going to the highest bidder.
Photo: Residents rejoice after ‘saving’ their only hospital. The Mayor of St Ives said: ‘So often we see valuable amenities lost in our town but this time, the community has won.’
After the decision three years ago to close the NHS and sell it on the open market, prospects for Edward Hein Memorial Hospital looked bleak.
Cornish residents have achieved a ‘fairy tale ending’ after securing their only hospital which closed three years ago
Pictured: An emotional St Ives resident who was part of the campaign group that secured the future of its only hospital
The promoter raised £1,020,000 to buy the site in the Cornish seaside town
With an incredible fundraising campaign and community support, the Friends were able to raise the £1,020,000 price NHS Property Services paid to buy the site and the terms of the purchase have now been agreed.
Councilor Steve Hynes said: ‘The council always supports them. It’s brilliant that the community came together and did this.
‘It’s a fantastically organized team. Raising a million pounds in a small town is incredible.
‘We would certainly have preferred the hospital to remain open but this is a great option.
‘The effort shows that great things can be achieved if you come together as a community and never give up.’
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