Official approval has been given for nearly £70,000 Heritage Lottery Fund cash to support the restoration of Thornaby Town Hall.
As reported, the lottery windfall will go towards the long-awaited renovation of the 121-year-old Grade II listed building.
Thornaby Town Councillors Ian Dalgarno, Glenn Eastick and Steve Walmsley travelled to Newcastle to receive the official approval, accompanied by the project manager for the restoration, Dave Nicholson.
Mr Nicholson said: “The Heritage Lottery Fund have been fantastic. But now the work really starts and we must put together a business plan and systems in place to demonstrate community inclusion and sustainability.”
In November 2012 Thornaby Town Council (TTC) became the new owner of the freehold of the town hall after exchanging contracts with previous owners Stockton Council.
The sale of the town hall was approved by Stockton Council’s Cabinet - for what is believed to be £100,000 - after it was put on the market in 2011.
The town council is working with Middlesbrough-based Green Lane Capital to redevelop the old town hall annex.
The restoration is expected to take two years and will see the town hall and adjoining buildings become home to up to 26 small enterprises. The buildings will include a heritage centre and offices. The main council chamber will also be restored.
Serviced apartments could also be created in the upper floors of the adjacent building to provide short-stay accommodation for business professionals or parents of students.
Mayor of Thornaby, Councillor Sylvia Walmsley, said: “This is for our community. The town hall means so much to everyone. It is such a beautiful building but has fallen on hard times in the last 40 years or so.
“However, if we all pull together and prove that our dream is worthy of HLF support, the building which is such an architectural gem can be restored to the pristine condition that it was in its heyday.”
The funding has been rounded off to £71,800 with a contribution from TTC.
Meanwhile The Roseworth Big Local project has recently completed the final assessment stage of a £1m application to the Big Lottery Fund and has been awarded the money.
Now the group is looking to Roseworth residents for ideas on what the money should be spent on.
The money, spread over 10 years, is designed to help local people and organisations to make a massive and lasting difference to the community.
The management committee has appointed Martin Landers as the Big Local Development Officer, and are now urging people to contact him for funding support or to share and develop ideas.
Karen Harley, Big Local Chair said, “We have undertaken many consultations to get us this far, but the time for action has arrived. Pick up the phone and give Martin a call”
If you have an idea, a passion or want to get involved with Big Local, give Martin Landers a call on 07709 804580 or email him on martin.landers@catalyststockton.org.
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