A CAMPAIGN has been launched to reopen a Flintshire landmark to bring the community together.

The Enbarr Foundation, an enterprise group based in Queensferry, aims to reopen the John Summers Building as a community facility and asked residents what they would like to see there.

Vicki Roskams, director at Enbarr, said: "We are trying to get the community involved to lift up spirits and give them something to look forward to. There's a lot of negativity in the area at the moment and we want to bring the community together.

"We can get self-employed people back to work or give young mums and people in need a chance, there's so much on their doorstep.

"We should all work together and that is what this building is going to be about."

A meeting was held yesterday at the Sealand Youth Centre to see what local residents would like the building to become and to discuss the history of the area.

Tom Hughes, of socially focused, is working alongside Vicki and is asking people and businesses to donate their time and skills for the reopening of the building.

He added: "Businesses have already donated things like paint and we've had painters agreeing to decorate.

"The reason why this is so important is because 100 years ago this was a thriving steel industrial town and the decline with the building has correlated with the decline of the area.

"We hope to turn it into a beacon of hope and we've had a great response so far."

The clock tower has been subject to vandalism multiple times since it was boarded up about ten years ago and it is hoped the re-opening of the building will bring people together.

The first two floors aim to be a social enterprise and Vicki said another meeting will be held in February to see what else can be done with the current 102 rooms.

Cllr Mike Evans, of Shotton town council, worked at the Steelworks for about 25 years.

He added: "It's our emblem as Shotton Town Council, it's iconic for us. It will be a big piece of our history gone if it's just left."

The building was built in 1907 and once employed 10,000 people.

Kerry Alexandre, who also worked at the site for several years, said: "It was a nice place to work, they took care of staff.

"I think it's a local landmark and it would be very sad if it goes. It needs to be saved just as it is.

"It gave Deeside its wealth in a way, there was nothing like that before. It would be a great shame if nothing is done to save it."

Anyone wishing to get involved with the development of the clock tower can get in touch with Vicky at the Enbarr Foundation or Tom at Socially Focused.

Cllr Dave Evans added: "It's good that someone is trying to do something for the benefit of Sealand and Garden City residents."