PLANNING permission is being sought for the next phase of the restoration of Wiveliscombe Town Hall which will see a water supply installed and an accessible toilet and bar fitted.

A charitable trust has been bringing the building back to life after it had lain empty since the 1960s, slowly decaying.

Trust spokesperson Julian Mellor said: “If left unaddressed, the disrepair would have reached tipping points and eventually the heritage asset would have been lost.”

The town hall trust, which was formed by residents in 2005, secured a 125-year lease in 2015 from the grade two listed building’s Co-operative Group owner and began refitting the electrics.

It reopened the hall for public performances in October, 2023, and has been carrying out an ongoing programme of refitting, repairing, and upgrading the building while also developing a programme of events and performances for the local community.

A schematic of the Wiveliscombe Town Hall restoration project.
A schematic of the Wiveliscombe Town Hall restoration project. (Geoff Sellick Architectural & Interior Design)

However, the building lacks heating and a water supply which has restricted its use to about 25 events since opening.

It also needs significant repair to, or replacement of, windows, redecoration, and provision of disabled access to the property, which is on the first floor above shops in The Square.

Extensive work to repair the ceiling was completed earlier this year.

The next phase of the project, fitting the toilet, bar, and water supply, is being funded by Wiveliscombe Town Council.

Mr Mellor said there was evidence the building once had a water supply, but all its pipework was removed a long time ago, while it was unlikely there was ever a toilet.

He said: “Without any facilities, patrons have had to make use of public toilets on North Street or at local pubs.

“More recently, the accessible toilet in the library has also become available during town hall events.”

Mr Mellor said the new water supply would be provided via existing pipework in the Co-op supermarket immediately below anterooms at the back of the hall.

The accessible toilet would be built in a storage area toward the back of the building.

He said the lack of toilet and washing facilities limited the use of the hall and meant it was impossible for some people to attend events.

The new work would enable the hall to meet the needs of a much wider range of people and allow the trust to provide more services and put on a wider range of events and make them more appealing.

Mr Mellor said: “Wherever possible, existing fittings and joinery will be retained and repurposed within the alterations.

“Fixtures in the toilet will be low-water and low-energy.

“The trust’s preference will be to source second-hand fixtures in order to reduce climate impact, only sourcing new fixtures if second-hand cannot be found.

“By bringing the hall back into active use the trust has been able to secure investment in the building’s fabric and secure its long-term future.

“Further alterations to meet modern needs are inevitably required, but these are being carried out in the most sympathetic ways available with a view to retaining the character and features of the building.”