FORECOURT markets and a community café to provide a new social area for the town are being planned as the next step to bring Minehead’s old hospital back to life.

“We are putting things in place to bring parts of the building back into use as part of a general strategy, which includes community consultation and a business plan for an eventual community hub,” owner Bill Howard said.

Minehead Connect, the community interest company behind the project, has submitted an application for the café and a four-days a-week market to West Somerset Council’s planning committee.

The community café would be housed temporarily in the former day ward area at the front of the building but would eventually be sited at the rear of the hospital after demolition work has taken place.

Mr Howard said the new market would augment the existing farmers’ market and would help promote local trade.

He added: “There’s still a long way to go but things are very positive and going in the right direction.”