Work on Bourne Town Hall to start in January
Jane GabbuttRefurbishment work on a 200-year-old town hall in Lincolnshire is due to start in January.
Bourne Town Hall was awarded more than £3m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in January to restore the venue.
Members of the Bourne Town Hall Trust have announced they are in the process of tendering for the principal contractor, who they intent to appoint in December.
The trust said work on the project was due to be completed by Easter 2027.
The Georgian Grade II listed building has been used as a sessions house, fire station, market and council offices.
The final details of the hall's revamp have been completed and the trust is awaiting listed building consent.
Work will include recommissioning the hall's clock, restoring the clock tower and installing lifts to improve accessibility.
The new designs will also feature improved insulation, solar panels and heat pump technology.
When the work is complete, the venue will be a heritage and culture hub for the town and will offer entertainment and education for all ages, the trust said.
It will also provide jobs and volunteering opportunities.
Bourne Town Hall Trust was formed in 2017 by a small number of volunteers and aims to raise funds to restore and operate the heritage building.
The group continues to hold fundraising events, including quizzes and music performances, for ongoing costs not covered by the grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
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