A “WHITE KNIGHT” is hoping to spend £1.5m replacing Druitt Hall in Christchurch with a new community centre and museum.

Alistair Somerville Ford told a residents’ meeting that he and his organisation, the Institute of Commercial Management (ICM), want to refurbish the existing building and spend five years looking at sites for a replacement.

Mr Ford told a packed function room at the Captains Club Hotel that he wants to help regenerate Christchurch by creating a new museum that will help attract tourists and maintain a community centre in the town.

He said: “The plan is to develop tourism for this town and base it on history and heritage.

“We need effectively a large space for the history society with more information, and effectively a proper museum.”

Councillors have voted to close Druitt Hall in March 2013, despite the protests and a petition from residents.

Mr Ford said under the proposal he would extend its use for five years before the new “community hub” opens.

He said: “We will pay for its refurbishment.

“Give me the lease for five years.

“I will put a small team together and I will look at how we can rebuild something really special for the town.

“Let’s drive this through and put Christchurch back on the map.”

He added: “We are not looking for any outside assistance, we are just looking for your co-operation.”

Mr Ford told the meeting that his organisation ICM is a charity which has “never failed” in its social, economic and community development opportunities across the world.

He said after five years if the new facility was built on a different site Druitt Hall would go to the East Dorset Heritage Trust. Chairman of the Friends of Druitt Hall, David O’Sullivan, said the group backed him.

He said: “We see you as a white knight coming in to save the day and we welcome your proposal.

“From our point of view it can only be a good thing.”