Work to transform Wem Town Hall into a state-of-the-art community building finally got under way this week after a four-year wait.
Contractors moved in to start the £400,000 project on Monday, and during the next four months a digital media suite will be installed on the upper floor, while a café, a theatre and a visitor information centre will be fitted out on the ground floor.
Work on the project, the focus of a Chronicle campaign, was officially launched by north Shropshire MP Owen Paterson, who said he was pleased to see the project begin after so many delays. He said: “I’m delighted to see the work start on such a vital community resource and look forward to coming back once again when the centre opens its doors.”
The hall has been closed since April 2005, but a group comprising of Wem Town Hall Community Trust, Thomas Adams School, Shropshire Council and Wem Town Council have been working since then to secure funding and get the hall reopened.
Neil Hemming, headteacher of Thomas Adams School and chair of the Wem Town Hall Community Trust, said: “Getting to the stage where we could start work is a massive milestone and is tremendous news for everyone. It’s an exciting opportunity for both the school and the community at large. When we open the town hall it will be a tremendous facility for young and old.”
Work is scheduled to be completed on October 23, but could be finished before that date if everything goes smoothly. Thursday morning markets will continue during the work.
