23/11/2021
Guisborough’s historic Town Hall is being restored to its former glory with support from the Sirius Minerals Foundation.
Plans include transforming the top two floors into visitor accommodation with a high-quality finish, while the ground floor will house tourist information a retail outlet and an exhibition-heritage area, which is being brought to fruition by a £40,000 grant from the Sirius Minerals Foundation.
The Town Hall was built in 1821 but recently fell into a dilapidated state and stood empty until 2013 before it was bought by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council in 2015.
The Guisborough Town Hall Gateway Project (GTHGP) was then established in 2016 to help oversee a £1.6 million renovation of the Grade II-listed building to provide a new sustainable mixed-use development.
“This funding from the Sirius Minerals Foundation has come at a great time for us, it will help us finish the project and enhance a lot of the community aspects of the building, including the heritage centre,” said Andy Murray, Chairman of the GTHGP.
“This building will be a catalyst to change many things in Guisborough, and this funding will be incredibly useful in helping us complete the renovation. Once this building is complete, the people in Guisborough and the surrounds will have a community hub they can be proud of.”
Sirius Minerals Foundation Chairman Ian Swales is delighted the historic building will soon be restored to its former glory.
“This is a real flagship project for Guisborough, and while we’re only a small part of the total funding, it is a fantastic community facility that we’re supporting and we’re delighted to play a part in its restoration,” Ian said.
“Once the renovation is complete this will be a beautiful building on the main street in Guisborough, it will be a core part of the visitor offer in the Town and I look forward to seeing the finished renovation.”
The Foundation is funded by mining company Anglo American, the owners of Woodsmith Mine being built near Whitby with product processing on Teesside.
Follow the Sirius Minerals Foundation on Twitter via https://twitter.com/s_m_foundation
The Sirius Minerals Foundation is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Charity number: 1163127
