A MUSIC legend has offered his support to Bridport Arts Centre’s redevelopment plans.

Jarvis Cocker, frontman of rock band Pulp, bought raffle tickets at the arts centre’s stand in Bucky Doo Square during a visit to Bridport.

Bridport Arts Centre volunteer Margie Barbour was delighted that Jarvis was able to show his support for the campaign.

She said: “It appeared Jarvis was just in Bridport, having a nice Saturday and wandering around.

“Everybody thought it would be nice to have a word with him. What happened was everybody wanted selfies with him and he came as far as our table and he bought some raffle tickets and then my friends and fellow volunteer Heather Hamer, said to him, it would be good if he could pose for a photo to give us some support. He said ‘of course, of course’ and stood next to our sign in a very jaunty and Jarvis way.

“Jarvis is probably someone who really understands the importance of a local arts centre and of the arts ecology in the UK, so it was really great of him to show some support.

Jarvis became a household name in the 90s with Pulp. The band had a string of hits including Common People and Disco 2000.

Ms Hamer said: “It was amazing to see him. Everybody took a deep breath and realised it was actually him.”

“I said, would he mind buying some raffle tickets and take a photo.

“It’s great to see him supporting the common people and he was very happy to do so. He did actually have difficulty with manoeuvring through the streets as there were so many people around him.”

Bridport Arts Centre is currently closed while it undergoes renovations. The work includes replacing the Art Garden Café with offices, while the café would be moved to a space opposite the current offices.

Director of Bridport Arts Centre, Laura Cockett, is excited the redevelopment plans are coming together and is hoping the venue will reopen its doors next month.

She said: “Now we are going into the last five weeks and it has been amazing to see how the building is developing.

“The look of the building has changed. It already feels more accessible and open. We are starting to see the work that is going on. We are on track to open in the first week in September.”

The arts centre trust is still on the lookout for funding to ensure it can push ahead with the second phase of development, which will restore the café back to the former Wesleyan chapel schoolroom.

Ms Cockett added: “We need to find another £20,000 to complete the second stage of this work, so any gifts would be gratefully received. We have already received more than £20,000 from local people and regular visitors to the arts centre, which is an incredible amount.”

For more information, please visit bridport-arts.com