MORE repairs and upgrading work to Wiveliscombe Town Hall mean the building will be closed for the first half of next year

Town hall trustees have received a grant of up to £42,500 from Wiveliscombe Town Council to help meet the cost of the work.

It will pay for essential repairs to the hall’s lath and plaster ceiling, the installation of a much-needed chairlift to improve the building’s accessibility, redecoration of its stairway, and fitting a water supply, toilet, and kitchen.

A spokesperson for the town hall trustees said: “This will make a big difference and will allow us to improve the building and transform the hall into an arts centre for the people of Wiveliscombe and surrounding areas.

“The trustees would like to thank all the councillors for their detailed consideration of our application.”

The hall was reopened in the summer of 2023 after more than 60 years but without water or any heating, and with decor which dated to the 1940s.

It has been able to host a limited number of theatre, film, comedy, and music performances and has sold a total of more than 1,000 tickets since its opening.

The spokesperson said: “Thank you so much for sticking with us and for bringing your enthusiasm, and warm jumpers, to our events, we really appreciate it.

“We are grateful to the councillors for their support.

“Our approach to restoration and upgrades is to do as much as we can to put on more events whenever we can get the funding.

“That means that some work, such as repairing the windows and installing heating has to wait until the funding can be found.

“If you or anybody you know would be interested in contributing, please get in touch, it might help us get it done quicker.

“The repairs to the lath and plaster ceiling will be a slow process and will mean scaffolding the entire hall.

“The installation of water and the chairlift will follow on.

“This means that we will be closed for the first half of 2026.

“When we reopen in the summer, we want to be presenting a regular programme of theatre, film, and music.

“We are working on the details, so please keep sending us ideas and suggestions.”

A town council spokesperson said the grant money was intended to improve the hall as a venue for events and had come from a community infrastructure levy which was paid by developers when they built new houses outside the town’s development boundary.

The trustees spokesperson said in the longer term it was hoped to extend the hall to the rear because currently there was little space for a bar, kitchen, and other ancillary facilities.

They said: “We would also love to reinstate the portico at the front of the building, an ambition supported by the emerging town centre vision.

“All this poses all manner of challenges, including getting listed building consent and negotiating all the necessary approvals with the Co-op.

“It will also require a significant fund-raising effort.”