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Historic town hall reopens after £9m refurbishment

Dawn LimbuWest of England
News imageTrowbridge Town Hall The front of Trowbridge Town Hall. The building is a 19th-Century listed building with a tall spire with a clock. The building has several floors. The image has been taken on a cloudy day.Trowbridge Town Hall
Trowbridge Town Hall will reopen after a two-year refurbishment

A Grade II listed town hall is set to reopen following a £9m refurbishment.

Trowbridge Town Hall, which was built in 1887, has been closed for the past two years while it underwent extensive restoration.

Now run by independent charity The Trowbridge Town Hall Trust, the venue will feature purpose-built performance spaces, a café bar and areas to host community activities.

The works to restore the hall were part of a £16m project to revitalise the town centre.

News imageTrowbridge Town Hall The café and bar inside the town hall. There is a bar to the left with beer taps and a unit to hold cakes. There are several empty tables and chairs. There are some stained glass windows at the far end of the room, where a person appears to be looking outside.Trowbridge Town Hall
The renovated hall will have a café and bar area

"The reopening of the old town hall marks a really exciting new chapter for our county town," said Ian Thorn, leader of Wiltshire Council.

"This transformation is not just a restoration of bricks and mortar – it's a bold investment in our community, our culture, and our future."

Doors will open at 10:30 BST, with celebrations beginning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the launch of the new Avonfield Café.

Visitors are invited to explore the refurbished building throughout the day, including the fifth annual Open Exhibition.

The festivities will culminate in an evening performance by three-time UK Americana Award winner Hannah White.

News imageTrowbridge Town Hall The Great Hall inside the building. The hall is empty and has stained glass windows and polished wooden floor.Trowbridge Town Hall
The revamped space includes areas for community activities

In recognition of its heritage, the trust will now operate under the name The Old Town Hall, honouring the building's legacy as Trowbridge's original town hall.

Tom Maddicott, CEO of the Old Town Hall, said: "I can't wait to welcome people in, see the building buzzing with activity, and to be able to share all the exciting events and artists that we will be bringing to Trowbridge over the coming months and years."

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