Renovation plans for historic town hall get green light

Plans to refurbish and remodel a Grade II listed town hall in Trowbridge have been given the go ahead by Wiltshire Council.
The approval paves the way for the town hall to become a major creative and community hub for Trowbridge.
The renovated building will include custom designed performance and activity spaces, recording studios and a licenced café with refurbished spaces for a wide range of community activities from yoga classes to toddler groups.
Listed Building Consent was also granted on the same day ensuring the status of the town hall as a local historic landmark in the heart of the town.
Richard Clewer, leader of Wiltshire Council said: “Securing these planning permissions are vital milestones in this project which forms part of the £16m investment in Trowbridge town centre through the government’s Future High Streets Fund.
“We are delighted that we can now start to move from planning to the exciting stage of delivery with works starting later this year.
“One of the key aims in our Business Plan is making sure our towns are resilient, ensuring our communities are able to grow sustainably with access to leisure, arts, heritage and culture. The refurbishment of Trowbridge Town Hall is central to developing a unique cultural offer in the town, encouraging increased footfall into the town centre and helping to revive Trowbridge’s poor evening economy. We are looking forward to these plans being realised in the future.”
Alan Wright, director of Trowbridge Town Hall Trust, added: “This approval allows us to move forward at pace in preparation for the building works to begin. I would just like to thank lead architect, Clare Phillips of Purcell, and all her team for delivering a build design that gives us a beautiful, environmentally friendly, fully functional building that also respects the heritage of this outstanding Town Hall.”