Imagine owning a piece of your local theatre and playing an active role in its revival—this opportunity won’t last long! The historic Amulet Theatre, a cherished cultural hub in Shepton Mallet, is on the brink of rebirth thanks to a passionate community campaign.
Threatened with closure, this distinctive Brutalist building once stood as the heart of Shepton Mallet’s community life. Now, a dedicated group of locals have launched the “Let’s Buy the Amulet” initiative, a community share offer inviting residents, groups, and organizations to invest and bring the theatre back to life.
With just one day remaining to join the campaign, community members have already invested nearly £110,000 through 246 shareholders by purchasing shares at £1 each, with a minimum of 250 shares. The campaign’s goal is to raise closer to £200,000 to fund the theatre’s full restoration and timely reopening.
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Martin Berkeley of Let’s Buy the Amulet shared encouraging news: “We’ve surpassed our minimum target of £100,000, and momentum is building with more people and organizations investing right up to the deadline. In the last ten days alone, 50 new members and £15,000 have been added to the fund.”
The Amulet Theatre holds a special place in Shepton Mallet’s history. Known also as The Centre or The Academy, it has hosted countless community events, birthdays, and anniversaries, making it a cornerstone of local memories and celebrations. The town, lacking a town hall, desperately needs a vibrant gathering space for cultural events and community activities.
Constructed in 1975 during a major town centre redevelopment, the theatre closed in 2011 and was sold privately. While the upper floors currently house a gym and planned apartment renovations are on hold, the ground floor remains dedicated to Let’s Buy the Amulet’s efforts.
The campaign aims to restore the building in stages, enabling early community use alongside ongoing renovations. Their vision is to offer a variety of activities and events—from exercise classes and meeting spaces to entertainment—serving Shepton Mallet’s population of 11,000.
If you want to be part of this exciting revival, act now. The community share offer closes at midnight on Friday, October 31. The minimum investment is £250, with the option to spread payments over ten months. For full details and to get involved, visit www.buytheamulet.org.uk.
Don’t miss your chance to help preserve a vital part of Shepton Mallet’s heritage and ensure the Amulet Theatre shines once again at the heart of the community.