Work Starts

Building works on the Town Hall Heritage and Conservation Project has now started. Bridport Town Council’s project is funded by the Town Council itself, a £600,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) together with support from West Dorset District Council and Dorset County Council. The project will open up the Grade 1 Listed Town Hall for everyone to visit and enjoy. 

Level access from Bucky Doo Square and a new lift will enable everyone to take part in activities and appreciate the historic Fra Newbery interior on the first floor. The Town Council will be improving the facilities on offer, including the heating, lighting, acoustics, kitchen and IT provision as well as improving the energy efficiency of the building. In addition, a new community exhibition space will be created at the southern end of the ground floor alongside proposed new accommodation for the Tourist Information Centre.

Following a detailed tendering process, the Town Council appointed Farnrise Construction Ltd to carry out the building works. Farnrise is a regional construction company undertaking new build, refurbishment, fitting out and maintenance schemes for both private and public sector clients. The company has experience of similar historic renovation projects such as the Old Town Hall renovation project in Reigate Market Square for Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and the Guildhall refurbishment for Winchester City Council.