Plans to convert the Old Mart in Ulverston into a new community centre have taken a massive step towards realisation.

Earlier this year the Old Mart Group (OMG) revealed its desires to transform the site into a place for 'diverse and communal activities'.

This idea was spawned from a belief that the town has already 'lost so many spots' with a pressing need to rectify this trend.

On Saturday, September 7, the group announced that its offer to buy the Old Mart has been accepted.

A spokesperson said: "We hope come Christmas we can emerge from this fretful phase with keys in hand and a building to remake as The Spot, a new, much-needed community space.

"This has been made possible through amazing support from local businesses, plus backing from Ulverston Business Improvement District, Ulverston Town Council and of course the public via our Crowdfunder."

Read more: Old Mart proposed as new vibrant heart of Ulverston | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)

A fundraising target of £500,000 was initially set to acquire and refurbish the building, with £5,000 of that hopefully coming from public donations.

"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to every business, group and individual who has contributed," said the spokesperson.

"Your donations and supportive comments have encouraged others to dig deep and also kept us going through what has been quite the emotional rollercoaster."

The proposed development will welcome various groups into its folds, providing a solution to the 'current space scarcity'.

It will act as a base for community-centric services like the Ulverston Food Project and a venue for indoor sports with spaces for the Ulverston Table Tennis Club.

And when the tables are folded away, it can be utilised by art groups and host events like the Ulverston Lantern Festival.

An Ulverston-based company Digital Woodoo are hoped to be a founding tenant, who have planned to create interior ‘pods’ within the Mart that are affordable to heat and maintain as an innovative way to bring the building back to life.

At the time of writing, the Crowdfunder has raised £3,200 with the hope that the community will back it with renewed vigour following this latest sign of success.

You can donate to the cause by visiting the page here.