THE newly refurbished Corn Exchange in St Ives is due to open its doors to the public next month, but it needs chairs and it is asking for �30 donations. This time it s all about putting bums on seats as 200 chairs are needed to provide audiences at

THE newly refurbished Corn Exchange in St Ives is due to open its doors to the public next month, but it needs chairs and it is asking for �30 donations.

This time it's all about putting bums on seats as 200 chairs are needed to provide audiences at the Corn Exchange with a place to sit in comfort.

The building - which is being safeguarded and reopened for the community - is scheduled for completion within a matter of weeks and the doors could be opened to the public as soon as Saturday, June 26.

But before the Grade II-listed building can become a community hub, chairs are needed for the main hall.

ACE, the charity behind the fundraising for the building, is looking for individuals and businesses to sponsor a chair.

Each chair will cost �30 and everyone who buys a seat for the Corn Exchange will be invited to a special thank you event later in the year.

Tony Burgess, ACE chairman, told The Hunts Post that the town's people and businesses had already been exceptionally generous, raising �80,000 out of a target of �100,000 to help kit out the building.

He added: "One last effort is needed to get to the target and to ensure the Corn Exchange has all the facilities it needs to allow this historic building to host shows, events, clubs and community groups."

"While money has been available to refurbish the building, the project is very much reliant on the generosity of the people and businesses of St Ives through donations and sponsorship.

"To help will the final push, we are looking for people who will buy a chair for the Corn Exchange by donating �30.

"Every �30 will be a great help to the Corn Exchange project which is a real community effort."

When the Corn Exchange is open it will be run by a community interest company which will include members of St Ives Town Council, which has funded the refurbishment, and members of ACE.

The building will provide a space for stage shows, exhibitions, indoor markets, dinners and parties as well as a meeting area for community groups.

INFORMATION: To make a donation, send cheques, payable to ACE, to Paula Luter, ACE Treasurer, The Fold, Priory Road, St Ives, Cambs PE27 5BB. You can also visit www.thecornexchange.org.uk where you can find details about fundraising for the Corn Exchange and information on how to become a friend of ACE as well as contact numbers for the ACE committee.