An arts centre in Bovey Tracey has launched the final push on its quest to complete its project to open a community arts and entertainment hub.

Bovey Paradiso is holding two open days to showcase its progress so far and encourage take-up of its third share-offering to raise the funds to finish the project.

The open days take place from 10:30am until 3pm on Saturday June 28 and Saturday July 12 at Bovey Paradiso in the former King of Prussia pub building.

Bovey Paradiso hopes to generate a minimum of £175,00, but ideally £275,000, from this share offering to complete renovations and fit out the building. The remaining work includes completing the kitchen and revamping the café restaurant so it can open for food, drink and smaller-scale events and finishing the entrance. If it reaches the top end of its funding target the centre will also be able to pay for seating and audiovisual equipment for the new auditorium so it can put on a programme of film, theatre and events from spring 2026.

Bovey Paradiso started life in 2017 as a vision for an inclusive and accessible community arts and entertainment hub in the town.

Over the past eight years, the team has raised more than £1.5 million through share offerings and grant funding that has enabled them to buy, restore and transform the former King of Prussia pub to a facility that includes artists’ studios, a gallery, an auditorium, professional kitchen and a café / restaurant with a glass atrium.

The first share offer generated £475,000 and the second offer, which was hampered by the Covid pandemic, generated £107,000.

If this third share offer is successful, it is envisaged that work on Bovey Paradiso will be complete by March 2026 and that the centre will open in April 2026.