Dover town hall reopens after £10.5m refurbishment

Dover's Maison Dieu hall has reopened after a two-year refurbishment which cost £10.5m.

The building, which is Dover's town hall, is now permanently open to the public for the first time in its 800-year history.

It now features touch screen interactive displays, films and audio points to explain its history to visitors, with restoration work also carried out on some of its original features.

Dover District Council is hoping the work will bring in revenue, with previously unused parts of the building now available to hire out for functions and the former mayor's parlour now being used as a holiday let.

The work was paid for by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and means the building is now fully accessible, with a street-level entrance and lift on Biggin Street.

Chief executive of Dover District Council Nadeem Aziz said: "The Maison Dieu holds so many special memories for our residents and is a restoration project that we know has been long awaited by our community.

"We're really looking forward to seeing everyone enjoying this magnificent building and what it has to offer as it becomes the heart of Dover once again."

Selina Papa, from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "We believe that heritage has a huge role to play in our communities, bringing people together and creating pride in place that in turn delivers wider economic benefits.

"The restored Maison Dieu is a great example of this and will shine a light on Dover town centre for residents and visitors for years to come."

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