• Swindon & Wiltshire Property
• Tuesday January 30 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Beard gives behind-the-scenes look at Trowbridge Town Hall progress

Construction firm Beard has given a behind-the-scenes look at the progress it is making on the £7.15 million restoration of Trowbridge Town Hall.

The project will see Swindon-headquartered Beard transforming the Grade II listed building into an eye-catching music hall for live concerts.

A major milestone has been reached with the installation of the new roof now underway. The existing battens and roof tiles have been removed, and the building weatherproofed.

The team has now started on the base layer for the new roof of the Great Hall, with more than 250m² completed already.

The roof is made up of two layers of insulation, cement board, plywood and slate for a significant improvement in both thermal and acoustic performance.

Meanwhile, internal demolition has been ongoing and is nearing completion. Beard has knocked down the existing offices and internal walls, lift shaft and staircase to fully open up The Great Hall, while the removal of the suspended ceiling has revealed the original king roof trusses and vaulted ceiling.

In addition to removing the old cells and blockwork walls found in the basement, specialist stonemasons have begun the critical restoration and repairs to preserve the external stonework.

Beard says it remains on track to complete the multi-million-pound transformation in the summer of 2025.

Jamie Harwood, director at Beard, said: “Work has been progressing very well at Trowbridge Town Hall and we thank the council, the local residents and all stakeholders for their patience and continued support.

“As we embark on this significant next step in the project timeline, we are working very hard to minimise disruption and keep everybody safe. Protecting this important building also remains a priority too.

“All parties can rest assured that the work being undertaken is many months in the making, with extensive planning, preparation and stakeholder engagement. This is built on our decades of experience in completing complex renovation and restoration projects, including high-profile listed buildings across the region and further afield.”

Cllr Phil Alford, cabinet member for strategic assets at Wiltshire Council, which owns the building, said: “We are very pleased with the progress being made and the care and attention being taken to protect the historic features during the works.

“Now that the Great Hall is fully opened up, it looks amazing and together with the roof works to improve acoustics it will make this a fantastic space for live music events in the future.

“One of our key aims is making sure our towns are resilient, ensuring our communities are able to grow sustainably with access to leisure, arts, heritage and culture. It’s great to see the Town Hall shaping up to be once again the landmark cultural venue in the centre of Trowbridge.”

Trowbridge Town Hall marks the latest project in the partnership between Beard and Wiltshire Council, which also includes the Grade II listed Corsham Mansion.

In addition, the family-owned construction company has also worked on the Grade II listed Mill Building at Trowbridge Museum, as well as the award-winning Corinium Museum in Cirencester, among others.

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