The people of Shap are celebrating ten years since they took over The Old Courthouse from the council.

It was in 2013 that the then Shap Building Group first began talks with representatives of all the different groups in the village and local council members about the future of The Old Courthouse. 

The Shap Building Group became the Shap Community CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) which took over the building from the former Cumbria County Council.

This was done as a Community Asset Transfer, which gives local people greater control over local assets.

Such transfers are vetted to ensure the proposal is sustainable and financially viable so it can bring long term benefits to the community.

Janet Wood chairs the Trustees of Shap Community CIO, which has overseen a number of changes to the building since they took control in 2015.

“It’s improved enormously with the various things we’ve been able to do. The main feature really would be the introduction of the gallery and exhibition space, which has enabled lots of different things to take place in there.

“It’s also fully accessible throughout. And we added the terrace outside as well.”

It now houses art exhibitions and performances as well as the village library, a playgroup, and meetings by a number of local groups.

The terrace is now used on market days by a band who entertain visitors.

The Old Courthouse also jointly stages a monthly Farmers and Makers Market alongside Shap Parish Council, showcasing local produce and crafts.

Local beekeeper Dave Staples, a regular at the Market during the summer months when he sells jars of honey said: “It’s a great asset to the community all around.

“And the market gives local traders a chance to show off their produce and wares.”

Another regular is Teresa Martin of Cake-a-Licious in Shap, where she is also the school dinner lady. 

Teresa said: “The market brings a lot of people here, it brings everybody together. It’s very community based.”

As a charity, The Old Courthouse aims to increase visitor numbers to Shap as well as providing a social space for the community, such as the celebration they hosted for local people to commemorate the VE Day anniversary.

Various groups, including writers and musicians, meet there regularly, and the building hosts regular concerts and performances.

Janet Wood added: “We have plans to make the Old Courthouse more sustainable, increasing the energy efficiency to reduce the carbon impact and the cost of keeping it going.

“We also want to see more people from Shap and elsewhere using the building. We have a variety of rooms available for hire, our venue has its own parking space and is easy to access from the A6 and M6 making it an ideal meeting place for groups across Cumbria.”

Helen Chaffey, the Westmorland and Furness Council Cabinet Member for Communities, Customer Services, Culture and Communications has praised the Shap Old Courthouse reaching this tenth anniversary.

Helen Chaffey said: “The Old Courthouse in Shap is an excellent example of a successful Community Asset Transfer and Community Power in action.

“By passing the building over to the local Trustees, they have been able to create a thriving community hub with a very wide range of activities.

“Westmorland and Furness Council welcomes applications from other communities where people are passionate about new or expanded uses of council-owned sites, as Community Asset Transfers provide an opportunity for more efficient and effective use of buildings and land currently owned by the council, giving local people and communities greater control over local assets and the services delivered from them.”

For more information on The Old Courthouse head to their website here or to find out more about a Community Asset Transfer visit Westmorland and Furness Council here.