The future of the Bridport Literary and Scientific Institute (LSi) has been secured through welcoming more tenants who will lead the events at the building.

Bridport Area Development Trust (BADT) has reviewed the use of the building in a bid to make it financially viable and sustainable.

The new plans combine commercial and charity tenants - Crowdfunder, 3DCentre (3DC) and a financial services company - with events and facilities in the LSi.

This new approach will change how the public can use the building, but will offer those working there the opportunity to showcase their work to the community.

The tenants will own and drive the events programme, which will focus on helping people develop professionally and personally. The courtyard atrium, meeting rooms and training facilities will still be available for hire.

Vanessa White, interim chairman of BADT, said: "The intention is to create a new relationship with the building's occupants to deliver something very different and dynamic for Bridport.

"BADT fulfilled one of its primary purposes by rescuing the LSi and preserving the historic building for Bridport and posterity.

"The trust believes the chosen proposal is consistent with its aims and those of the LSi in the benefits it provides to the community and wider society. We believe the LSi will remain a valuable asset to the town, with this team of tenants bringing training, employment and prestige to Bridport."

Crowdfunder is a successful tech company and one of the UK's foremost online fundraising platforms.

Co-founder Simon Deverell said: "We believe that the LSi is an important part of the community and its intended function must be realised and delivered. In this current environment, more than ever, we believe that it has to have a commercial spine.

"We look forward to welcoming more people in our community into this space - as we've done for years - to collaborate and mutually benefit each other - to network, to grow and build a stronger, creative and adaptable local economy, with jobs worth staying for and experiences and opportunities for which you'd normally have to relocate to the city.

"We think we offer a unique opportunity to secure the commercial future of the building balanced with a sustainable offering to the public."

The aim of the charity 3DC is to empower young people through mentoring in the fields of human rights and environmental and economic justice. It was founded by renowned international human rights lawyers Clive Stafford Smith and Emily Bolton.

3DC's team of mentors will support apprentices in building their own non-profit enterprises to address challenges faced locally, regionally, nationally or globally, acting as an incubator for new projects.

Emily said: "3DC Bridport will be a pilot hub for decentralising third-sector opportunities for young people.

"Most major third-sector organisations are based in London or in major cities. The pandemic has accelerated the uptake of communications technologies, which means this no longer needs to be the case.

"Bridport will not be the only town where nationally renowned third-sector professionals have taken up residence and could have an impact on the career opportunities of local young people, but the stars have aligned for Bridport to pioneer a model for actually delivering that opportunity."

Vanessa added: "The new mix of organisations based in the building gives the LSi a clear focus on enabling entrepreneurs in the community to acquire skills and funding for their enterprises and on new opportunities empowering young people to design and build a better future. Those leading those organisations see new and productive partnerships developing in the town.

"BADT now wishes to connect with the community in planning the LSi's future with the hope that the public will engage with the trust's vision of building a better Bridport."

A questionnaire on the future of the LSi is available at Bridport Tourist Information Centre in South Street and online at the LSi website.

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