Bishop’s Castle town hall appoints project managers
A major scheme to renovate the grade II* Town Hall in Bishop’s Castle, Shropshire has appointed local community development company Communities Can as its Project Manager.
Communities Can will support the Town Hall renovation partners in developing a successful stage 2 Heritage Lottery Fund bid, which will be submitted next Spring.
The Town Hall in Bishop’s Castle is a building of major historical and architectural importance. Equally it is a key community facility at the heart of this vibrant south Shropshire market town.
The project has been successful in securing stage 1 funding from the Heritage Lottery, and must now work up a detailed 10 year Business Plan to access the major capital investment funding it needs to make the aspirations of local people a reality.
Bishop’s Castle Town Council owns the Town Hall and has been working for many years on a variety of regeneration proposals. Following earlier funding disappointments the partners, which include the Town Council, the Bishop’s Castle Heritage Resource Centre and the Bishop’s Castle Tourism Community Interest Company have worked hard to convince Heritage Lottery to get through to the second stage.
Communities Can will now support the partners to work with the local community to develop a robust plan for the future. The plans include a visitor information centre, heritage and interpretation including digital film and media, office accommodation, improvements to the council chamber and market hall for increased community activities and full disability access.
Sam Hine of Communities Can said, “We are absolutely delighted to have been appointed Project Managers of this important and exciting local project. Bishop’s Castle is a great community to work in and we hope to get as many local people involved in the project as possible. Securing the long term future use of the Town Hall is our prime aim. It’s a very interesting building with a fascinating history and many stories to tell.”
