New funding bid to help refurb Whitby Old Town Hall

A £125,000 project is aiming to help bring the Old Town Hall in Whitby back into community use.

The 18th Century building has been undergoing a £1.2m renovation project, funded by the government and North Yorkshire Council.

Now, a new funding bid from North Yorkshire Council aims to turn the historic Grade II* listed building into a "vibrant heritage venue".

The funds would be used to install interactive screens, a projector and new CCTV system, and to create a multi-functional space that can be used for community events and cultural programming.

The council is seeking £55,000 from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and a further £70,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the funds would cover the costs associated with community engagement and operation for the first couple of years until Whitby Town Council, which has expressed an interest in taking over the building, can establish a "sustainable model".

"The allocated funding will provide essential tools and resources to transform the Old Town Hall into a vibrant destination where the local community can actively engage with its offerings," a report on the funding application states.

There are plans to install interactive screens and digital maps, as well as a projector for showing videos and presentations during events.

Some of the funding will also go on improving the building's safety and security, with a new CCTV system.

Work to renovate the building began in 2025, and is being funded from a £17.1m grant awarded to Whitby as part of the government's Towns Fund.

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