Welshpool launches £5million bid to transform Town Hall
The project, titled Restarting Welshpool Town’s Heart (RWTH), seeks support to develop plans for the restoration and revitalisation of Welshpool Town Hall, a Grade II listed building that has stood at the heart of the community since 1874.
The proposal would see the Town Hall transformed into a modern, accessible and sustainable community, cultural and civic hub, whilst preserving and celebrating its rich heritage for future generations. The project combines essential building repairs with a programme of cultural, community, wellbeing, environmental and economic activities designed to help revitalise both the building and the wider town centre.
The overall current cost of the project is £5,017,066.48, broken down into Development Phase costs of £251,280.92, with a Delivery Phase cost of £4,765,785.56. There is contingency, inflation and £141,050 in community projects also earmarked.
Welshpool Town Hall has long been one of the town’s most recognisable landmarks. Generations of local people have memories of attending markets, performances, community events, weddings, dances, public meetings and celebrations within its walls. However, years of underinvestment, accessibility challenges, rising running costs and significant structural issues now threaten the building’s long-term future.
Recent surveys identified urgent works required to safeguard the roof and clock tower, while extensive consultation involving more than 700 residents, businesses, organisations and stakeholders demonstrated overwhelming support for saving the building and bringing it back into everyday community use.
If successful, the project would create welcoming and accessible spaces throughout the Town Hall, including a revitalised Market Hall, refurbished Corn Exchange, restored Assembly Room, new gallery space, co-working facilities, improved catering facilities, enhanced heritage interpretation and significant accessibility improvements. Energy efficiency measures would also help secure the building’s long-term environmental and financial sustainability.
Alongside the capital improvements, the project includes a wide-ranging programme of activities which would support local wellbeing, heritage, culture, tourism, business development, sustainability and community participation across Welshpool and the wider Montgomeryshire area.
The application has been developed through a partnership led by Welshpool Town Council, working alongside organisations including the National Trust, Feathers Association, Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway, Rounded Development Enterprises and a growing network of community partners.
Town Clerk Richard Williams said: “Welshpool Town Hall is far more than just a building. It is one of the defining landmarks of our town and has been at the centre of community life for more than 150 years.
“This application represents years of work, consultation and partnership building, all driven by a shared ambition to secure the future of this remarkable building and return it to the heart of community life.
“The response from local people has been incredibly positive. Hundreds of residents have told us how important the Town Hall is to them and how much they want to see it brought back into full use. We are grateful to everyone who has contributed to developing the project and look forward to hearing the outcome of our application.”
The development phase application seeks funding to undertake detailed surveys, design work, specialist studies and community engagement to prepare a future delivery phase application. If ultimately successful, the wider programme would represent one of the most significant heritage-led regeneration projects ever undertaken in Welshpool.
Further information about the project will be shared as the application progresses.
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