Town Hall refurbishment part of £16 million investment in Trowbridge town centre

Trowbridge's historic Town Hall will be one of the key projects to benefit from significant investment from the government's Future High Streets Fund, securing its role in the heart of the town centre.

The Town Hall, a Grade 2 listed building has been allocated £8,176,810, of the £16,347,056 awarded to Wiltshire Council, to refurbish and restore the building. The investment will maximise the capacity for the building to host an exciting and vibrant programme of community-led cultural and social activities for the people of Trowbridge, enabling it to fulfil its potential as a landmark asset for the town.

Additional projects being supported by the Future High Streets Fund include:

• Improving accessibility, connectivity and wayfinding of the town centre
• Offering grants to businesses to encourage the longer-term occupation of vacant retail premises, creating a more diverse offer in the town centre
• Bringing the vacant Market Hall back into active use
• Enhancements to the River Biss bank to enable safer pedestrian access to the river front and under the Town Bridge

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council, said: "The Future High Streets Funding provides an exciting opportunity to breathe new life into the high street. I'm delighted that a substantial amount of funding is being used to support the Town Hall and bring it completely back into use ensuring its future as a hub of activity at the heart of the town. This investment will be complemented by other projects aimed at transforming the town centre attracting visitors and businesses to the area, providing an economic boost to the local economy and protecting local jobs.

"We know there is a lot of interest in these projects and we are aiming to host a two-day public event early next year to provide an update on the progress being made in developing these projects and seek input from local people to ensure we can deliver the best outcomes for people of Trowbridge."

David Lockwood, Director at Trowbridge Town Hall Trust, said: "I am delighted that the Town Hall has been awarded this funding. A fully restored Town Hall at the heart of Trowbridge will once again be a vibrant hub of activity, breathing new life into our High Street.

"If you'd like to have your say on what activity takes place in the building post-refurbishment, please let us know, starting with the public events early next year."

Wiltshire Council and Trowbridge Town Hall Trust are working together to deliver this once-in-a-generation opportunity to refurbish this much loved cultural and community asset and to identify and secure additional funding to further enhance the Town Hall. We hope you can join us at our engagement days planned for 27 and 28 January 2022, COVID dependent - more details to be announced soon.