A public consultation on the future of The Beehive in Honiton has indicated overwhelming support for the town council to continue supporting it as a community venue. 

The building is owned by the council and has been leased to Honiton Community Complex (HCC) since 2015, to be run as a charity for the benefit of local residents. 

But in February this year HCC, hit hard by the effects of Covid, said it could no longer balance the books and gave notice to end its lease. 

The council instead voted to cover HCC’s losses while the best way forward was decided, and since the money comes from local taxpayers, decided to hold the consultation. 

Respondents were asked to consider four options. The first would see the town council continuing to support HCC until the end of the 10-year lease in September 2025, to make time for HCC to manage its financial performance back to full independence (with the town council’s £10K service charge) if possible. 

The second option would see The Beehive operated by a charity and still being used by the council and for community events. 

Under option three, The Beehive would be leased, managed by and run as a commercial organisation – meaning its loss as council premises and as a community venue. 

The fourth option was to sell the building. 

There were 694 valid responses to the consultation, and 74 per cent favoured the first option. When those who chose the second option are included, it amounts to 90 per cent wanting to see The Beehive continuing to be run by a charity. Only about three per cent of respondents were in favour of the third or fourth options.  

A spokesperson for Honiton Town Council said: “There is a clear mandate from the respondents to the public consultation, for Honiton Town Councillors to continue to support Honiton Community Complex running The Beehive up to the end of its lease in 2025.  

“Honiton Town Councillors have been doing this on a month-by-month basis. The council may continue to financially support/underwrite HCC until the end of its lease of the Beehive in September 2025 or earlier, to make time for HCC to manage its financial performance back to full independence (with HTC’s £10K service charge) if possible.”