MINEHEAD’S iconic Old Hospital is poised to welcome new occupants ranging from nurses to film-makers as part of a plan to make the building into a thriving commercial and community centre, Minehead Connect, CIC, the organisation behind the development, said this week.

As part of the redevelopment, the town library will soon move temporarily into the Old Hospital while the building in Bancks Street undergoes major refurbishment.

The Registrar team will also move into the building.

This month, nurses from Somerset Primary Healthcare will establish a base in the former A&E section of the building from where they will organise activities across Somerset.

Photographer Mark Stotthard has based his business office and darkroom in the building and West Somerset Radio (104.4FM) now broadcasts from the Old Hospital.

Other potential clients include the Bristol agency for DVSA, which will be offering appointments for learner drivers to conduct their theory tests, St John Ambulance, Somerset Film, Exmoor Events, Minehead Hankuk-MU-DO, Foxes Academy and Activate UK.

Work is also ongoing to re-open the cafe area as Treat Suite, a young family business created during lockdown.

A Minehead Connect spokesman said: “We have always promised to bring the Old Hospital site into community use and, despite some serious hurdles to be jumped, it is now back on track to deliver that promise.

“Minehead Connect CIC is a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation and so all income after deduction of overheads is ploughed back to continue the work to refurbish the building.

“This work makes great demands on the very small group of volunteers and anyone interested in joining the group should contact [email protected] or call 01643 705252.”