News Town Hall Transformation

Town Hall Improvements

The Town Hall was built in 1859 and has been home to several organisations putting the building at the heart of the local community.  150 years of numerous tenants and owners has left its mark.  There have been umpteen additions and partitions installed internally,  leaving the building difficult to use.  A complete transformation of the building is proposed, to reinstate the original ground floor Market Hall, construct a rear extension and improve community meeting rooms, storage, and service rooms.  All internal services such as the wiring and heating will be updated, and the building will be made energy efficient.

Community Services hosted in the Town Hall attract around 30,000 visits per year, and another estimated 7,000 attend Arts & Cultural events. In transforming this Grade II listed building, it is strongly believed that it will become a catalyst for regenerating the market towns heritage and economy.  Without change to the building, its ability to generate income and its sustainability, is limited.  Currently, there is water coming into the building causing damage, and previous tenants have not renewed their contracts (for example – The Citizens Advice Bureau) describing the building as a rabbit warren, presenting challenges for community use.  In light of these issues, and thanks to the dynamic team of Trustees at the Midsomer Norton Community Trust, the Town Hall has maintained an impressive list of groups who currently continue to use it.

Transforming the Town Hall will provide for the three key outcomes:

Heritage

  • A sympathetically restored and extended Victorian Building at the heart of the       town.
  • The Town Hall will be in better condition.
  • Be the catalyst for further heritage restoration in the town.
  • Professional support for the Town Trust to develop ideas, meet or exceed best practice.

Communities

  • Provide a large and unique community space that will be a long-term resource for residents.
  • Increase community cohesion by bringing groups together.
  • Generate new opportunities for volunteering/develop volunteer management.
  • Improved wellbeing for volunteers.
  • Increase civic pride in the area and reinvigorate the High Street.
  • The building will be a key driver in establishing a ‘sense of place’.

People

  • Feel more welcome, comfortable and have an enjoyable experience in the Town Hall.
  • Encourage shopping locally, and thereby reducing carbon footprints.
  • Improved facilities including public toilets.
  • Develop a sense of identity for the town.

Funding has been received from HSASZ, Midsomer Norton Town Council and B&NES.  Additional funding is being looked at, including a loan from the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) for £1,500,000.  Midsomer Norton Town Council is required to seek the Secretary of States approval for the proposed borrowing from the PWLB.  The loan will be paid over 50 years with two payments per year of £24,452.  £48,904 has been added into the budget for the year 2022 – 2023.   The Councils budget has been adapted to fulfil any loan repayments required. 

If funding applications are not successful, it is proposed that the loan will cover any shortfall.  The draft precept request to be considered at the Full Council meeting in February will not be increased to fund the loan.  The Council has also applied for further funding from various other sources and the decisions on these funding bids have not yet been made.