The Town Hall is Open to the Public 10 – 20th September 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. for the Heritage Days and Dorset Architectural Heritage Week. Free Admittance – to view the listed Georgian building, the Fra Newbery collection of paintings and HMS Bridport memorabilia.
New Loos
Following a successful first stage bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in December 2008, Bridport Town Council has submitted the second and final stage application to HLF. It is hoped that a final decision on the funding for the project will be made by the end of the year. If successful, work will start in Spring 2010. It is anticipated that the project will be completed within an 18 month period. As part of the project, new town centre toilet facilities will be provided and be open before the Town Hall facilities are closed. For further information and to view the plans, please click on the Town Hall link on the left of this page.
Summary of the Bridport Town Hall redevelopment Project
Bridport Town Council
Town Hall – Heritage & Conservation Project
Vision
The vision for the project is to carry out a sensitive and comprehensive renovation of the building, to ensure the Town Hall is fully accessible and regain its position as the centre of community, civic and social life in Bridport.
What Our Project Will do?
Through opening up and making the building fully accessible, it will enhance its relationship to the other key town centre facilities of Bucky Doo Square, the Arts Centre and Museum. The major works will be:
• To re-open the Ground Floor creating a new accessible public area which links directly with Bucky Doo Square;
• To remove and relocate the existing toilets elsewhere in the town centre, reversing detrimental alterations and additions. West Dorset District Council has already agreed to undertake and fund this work;
• To install a lift providing access for users with disabilities, prams and pushchairs to the first floor;
• To install a mezzanine office space with lift and stair access in the newly created public area on the ground floor;
• To repair the existing stairs to give additional circulation to/from the upper floor;
• To enliven the existing interior and upgrade existing amenities so as to encourage and facilitate increased community usage / access and appreciation of the Fra Newbery paintings.
• To upgrade the energy efficiency of the building.
• To research and undertake remedial and preventative conservation work for the Newbery designed interior scheme and paintings in the main council chamber.
• To develop and adopt a conservation management statement to ensure future good practice in the maintenance of the heritage assets.
In addition to the capital works the project will deliver a wide range of interpretation and learning activities as outlined in the Activity Plan which is available to download from the Town Council website.
