AN open evening was held on September 12 at Salisbury Methodist Church to celebrate the establishment of Sarum Books as a charitable trust.

It was attended by a group of strong supporters, together with our MP John Glen, and the chairman of Churches Together in Salisbury, Capt Peter Clark, who gave welcome messages of encouragement.

For the past few years the popular shop in Catherine Street has been run successfully as a private venture, but the trust has been formed to establish it on a firmer long-term foundation.

The trustees described their aim as “to have a bookshop in the centre of the city, run by the community for the community, to provide Christian resources of all kinds in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere”.

The formal takeover is planned for October 1. The trustees are now seeking to make the project known as widely as possible, and to raise the necessary funds, which are estimated at £80,000 to be raised over a period of four years.

During the first year of operation, the trustees will be looking to refurbish the premises to include a small refreshment area, a DVD viewing area and a designated children’s area, and to extend the range of resources on sale.

Details of the plans and of how to give financial support are available at the shop.