RESIDENTS and businesses in the Allen Valleys are set to play a part in securing the future of a historic building.

The Grade II listed former Allendale First School could re-open as a multi-use community resource in less than two years.

Now a public meeting has been called for later this month, with ideas being sought for the spacious building, which closed in 2013, following a reorganisation of education in the area.

The old school’s future appeared to be uncertain until earlier this year, when residents teamed up to form Allendale First, a local group which during the spring, secured an £8,000 start-up grant to investigate possibilities for the building and its playing field.

This funded a feasibility study, which has explored the viability of the community taking on the premises, in the form of an asset transfer from Northumberland County Council.

It has also involved a structural survey of the building, to explore the extent of what could and could not be achieved internally, in accordance with conservation regulations which relate to listed buildings.

Allendale First’s Yvonne Conchie said: “There has already been a lot of interest in the school.

“There is a lot of history and memories associated with it for many people, and after it closed, we didn’t want to lose it.

“We want to hear the views of people in the Allen Valleys, so whether you are an interested individual, or represent a business or organisation, please come along to the meeting.”

At present, part of the school premises is occupied by the Allendale Pre-School Playgroup.

It’s hoped that the playgroup will be able to expand its offering from school-day opening times, to 7.30am to 6pm wrap-around care.

Other options which have been discussed are relocating the town’s library into the former first school, providing business space, or even a gym.

There is also potential for the playgroup to make use of the site’s playing field, while an area for people to grow vegetables could also be created.

Yvonne added: “The children at the pre-school have decorated the windows with artwork of possible uses for the site.

“We are working under the condition that whatever we do here is not replicating activities which are already being provided elsewhere in the Allen Valleys.

“We want to work with people, and we would never want to work against other organisations.

“We’re also keen to see people’s old photos from their schooldays at the first school.”

If the ambitious project proves viable, future grant applications could be made in 2016, to both the Heritage Lottery Fund and the European Union’s Leader programme.

Yvonne added: “The county council has been fantastic to work with, and if all goes to plan, we could be looking at an asset transfer to take place in 2017.”

Built as Allendale Board School in 1880, the building replaced Beaumont School, and has served generations of students from the Allen Valleys.

Allendale was one of half a dozen first schools which became primaries following the demise of Allendale Middle School in 2013.

But instead of remaining on the original first school site, the new Allendale Primary School moved into the neighbouring former middle school buildings.

The public meeting will take place at the old first school on Saturday, October 24, from 2pm to 4pm.

For more information about the project, visit www.allendalefirst.org