Government funding supports refurbishment of Trowbridge Town Hall

Trowbridge’s Town Hall will be one of the key projects to benefit from Wiltshire’s share of the government’s Future High Streets Fund, with over £8m allocated to refurbish and restore the building.

The investment will maximize the capacity of the Grade II listed building to host community-led cultural and social activities for residents of Trowbridge.

Wiltshire Council has been awarded over £16m in total from the Future High Streets Fund, with other projects including improving accessibility in the town centre, offering grants to businesses to encourage longer occupation of vacant retail premises, bringing the vacant Market Hall back into use and enhancing the River Biss bank to enable safer pedestrian access.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire 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, added: ‘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.’

In related news, Birmingham City Council is urging the government to back a levelling-up strategy that could help 75,000 people into work, boosting the city’s economy by £9bn a year.

Photo by Dylan Gillis