NEWS RELEASES
Proposed improvements to Horsham Town Hall - next stage consultations
17th May 2007
A NEW stage of consultations is now underway to help advise on the type of refurbishment improvements needed for Horsham Town Hall.
In September 2006 the Council made a decision concerning the future use and management of Horsham Town Hall.
It decided that The Court Room, the main ground floor room in the building, should continue to be made available for general community use.
It also said that the former Council Chamber on the first floor should become available for community use, subject to access improvements and refurbishments.
The Council agreed that The Town Hall should be made more attractive and improvement works undertaken to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act, subject to planning permission and listed building consent.
It also specified that wide consultation would be undertaken with those interested in the use of the Town Hall about the proposals.
Key refurbishment issues to be examined currently include the internal modernisation of the Town Hall, including the lavatories, access to the building and parking. The relationship between the Town Hall and nearby Market Square and East Street is also being looked at, so that this part of the town can potentially work better together.
So far in this exercise, the Council has undertaken a recent preliminary written consultation amongst user groups seeking feedback on the facilities and infrastructure of the Town Hall. More specific feedback is now being sought to progress proposals for the refurbishment and improvement works.
Two consultation workshops on design issues are being held over the next two months to which have been invited representatives of current and potential users of Horsham Town Hall and other stakeholder groups. The first meeting took place last night (16 May).
The workshops are being led by CMA Architects who have been appointed to advise on this work. The architects have considerable experience and expertise in the adaptation of historic buildings for community uses.
Speaking of the consultation and the need to refurbish the Town Hall, Bernard Baldwin, outgoing Chairman of the Council and chairman of the Horsham Town Hall Advisory Group at Horsham District Council, said:
“The aim of the refurbishment is to bring the Town Hall facilities up to date whilst adapting the building to make it more usable and versatile enough to meet the needs of the widest possible variety of community and potentially commercial uses.
“Horsham Town Hall is an important historic and civic asset and the evolving consultation exercise aims to help us make sure that all views are accounted for in making the most of the building’s special nature and location in the heart of the town.”
MORE FOLLOWS
The Council’s Horsham Town Hall Members’ Advisory Group will continue to meet regularly to monitor the progress of the consultation work and advise accordingly.
It is likely that the consultation will culminate in a public exhibition of the refurbishment proposals. A final report to the Council, including design options for the Town Hall, is expected this autumn.
Further information is available from Jim Gee, Leisure Services Manager at Horsham District Council, on 01403 215260, email: jim.gee@horsham.gov.uk
Ends
CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
Email: richard.morris@horsham.gov.uk