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A COMMUNITY PROPOSAL for HORNCASTLE TOWN HALL Presentation on behalf of The Town Hall 2006 Working Group at THE PARISH MEETING on Friday June 27 th 2008 Our Vision for the regeneration of the Town Hall. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE HALL……… Situated on part of the Wong
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A COMMUNITY PROPOSAL for HORNCASTLE TOWN HALL Presentation on behalf of The Town Hall 2006 Working Group at THE PARISH MEETING on Friday June 27th 2008 Our Vision for the regeneration of the Town Hall
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE HALL……… • Situated on part of the Wong • The Wong was offered to the Town in 1892 • The Drill Hall was funded by Public donations, built in 1901 It was vested in ELDC in 1972 at LG reorganisation When it became the ELDC Area Office It was renamed the Town Hall And it became home to the Town Council Hosting Events and Functions such as The Food Fair It generates revenue at present of approx £14,000 p.a. It is the only amenity building of this size Horncastle’s 2005 Action Plan identifies this as a project
NOW……. • ELDC have announced they plan to relocate the Area Office • The Town Hall has become surplus to their requirements • ELDC offered the building back to the Community in 2005 QUOTING WE SHOULD…… “Put forward a scheme for the long term retention of the property” • Be supported by local people • Identify funding for the alterations and refurbishment The criteria………. • We believe we have met ELDC’s conditions
THE PEOPLE OF HORNCASTLE HAVE ASKED ELDC TO RETAIN THIS BUILDING TIME & TIME AGAIN! THESE ISSUES PRODUCED …….. • A Public Meeting in 2002 that voted for retention of the Hall • The Town Council & ELDC jointly funded an initial study by John Roberts Architects • A Group that started to look at the results….. • Unfortunately the proposals were not carried forward THEN….. • The 2006 Town Hall Working Group was formed and constituted.
SO MEET SOME OF THE TEAM…….. • Bill Aron – Chairman • Ron Fisher – Vice-Chairman & Treasurer • James Tempest – Junior Vice Chairman • Maureen O’Neill – Secretary • Gerry O’Neill - Committee Member • June Benton - Committee Member • Joyce Fisher - Committee Member Angela Kisby - Pauline Boddy - Pam Crisp-Beard In addition we had the support of the Professionals …… • Dexter & Sharpe – Accountants • Robert Bell & Co – Property Management • Nat West Bank – Financial Advice • Chattertons - Solicitors
As we moved forward we made….. • A full tour of the building • We studied the data from ELDC • Comparisons of the running costs of other Centres • Contact with architects & builders • Enquiries regarding funding avenues • Contact with current & potential users and • Started to compile the Feasibility Study………..
AS WELL AS FACTS AND FIGURES WE NEED SOME FUNDS! • We held a couple of fund raising events • Plus a Charity Auction • The public support was tremendously encouraging • We raised over £1,100 towards the cost of producing the Concept Design and a Business Plan
THE FEASIBILITY STUDY HAS HIGHLIGHTED: • The building is of sound construction • The Hall would be adaptable • Inviting a variety of improvement schemes • It has local Historical & Architectural interest & features • The Hall is well positioned with a car park • Adjacent to the Wong Open Space also in need of TLC • There are benefits from the existing regular hirers • There is plenty of further letting potential • New interest from The Red Cross, The CAB and others plus the potential of creating ……….
A COMMUNITY CINEMA? MEETING ROOMS ? MULTI PURPOSE FUNCTION HALL ? RED CROSS HQ ? EXHIBITION AREAS ? A CAFÉ – A BAR? JUST A FEW OF THE EXCITING PROPOSALS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT FORWARD
THE CONCEPT DESIGN ………………… Commissioned by our Group and produced by Karen Lane
CONSULTATION PROCESS ……………………. • We produced a consultation questionnaire with a flyer – some 250 were completed and returned, about the same as in 2002. • Current and potential users were contacted. • The results of the survey were independently analysed. • Overwhelmingly people reaffirmed that they want the Town Hall retained
DURING THE NEXT STAGE – The Business Plan Brief…... • We tried to secure the balance of the funding required for a Business Plan • The Town Council pledged £1,000 plus £7,000 towards any refurbishments • We continued fund raising – A Raffle – Pilot Film Show • We started to produce a Business Plan brief based on the results of the survey and the Feasibility Study • We began to approach funding bodies and then found the goal posts were being moved and we were meeting a certain resistance ……………….
BUT WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THE BENEFITS OF RETAINING THE HALL INCLUDE:- Promoting Community involvement Protecting one of the Town’s most important public buildings – and our heritage Promoting a visitor attraction for the Town Developing new facilities for Horncastle Horncastle’s geographical and strategic position to serve the surrounding villages Forming a Charitable Trust to run the Hall for the benefit of the people of Horncastle
OF THE FEASIBILITY STUDY IT HAS BEEN SAID:- “These proposals go a very long way to ensure a sustainable future for Horncastle Town Hall” Paul Scott,A Past Chairman of Horncastle Civic Society please join our growing support group