Major refurb for Wymondham's Central Hall

major refurbishment is planned for the Central Hall in Wymondham to give the 1960s building the modern facilities it needs.

major refurbishment is planned for the Central Hall in Wymondham to give the 1960s building the modern facilities it needs.

The town has expanded rapidly in recent years, and the hall, owned by a charitable trust, is thriving with high usage and growing demand.

It is used as a community venue for events ranging from music and drama productions, dance classes and public meetings to blood donor sessions and wedding receptions.

But the building is showing serious signs of age - its shabby appearance emphasised by the opening next door of the new Wymondham library - and it does not meet modern health and safety standards.

Among the problems are heating and hot water appliances that are costly to run and hard to maintain, a large flat roof nearing the end of its natural life, electrics that need replacing, poor acoustics and outdated lighting.

Neville Coultas, chairman of Wymondham Central Hall Trust, said the alterations to the building would cost �900,000, which would be part-funded by income generated from the 130-space car park at the site. He added: "The trust is looking to raise the money through a variety of different sources: grants, corporate sponsorship, income from the car park, a bank mortgage/loan, and some community events."

Building work was scheduled to begin in November, when the hall would close, and take nine months to complete, said Mr Coultas.