Town hall restored ahead of historic opening

Restoration of a historic town hall in Kent has been completed as part of a £10.5m project which took two-and-a-half years.

Coniston, the main contractor for the Maison Dieu project in Dover, has handed the site back to the council after completing the upgrades, restoration and conservation of the building.

In May, the Maison Dieu will be permanently open to the public for the first time in its 800-year history.

Kevin Mills, Dover District Council's (DDC) leader, said: "This is the council's biggest restoration project to date, and the amount of work by all those involved is quite simply staggering."

The Maison Dieu was founded as a place for poor pilgrims to stay the night. It later became a victualling yard, making ship's biscuits and beer for the Royal Navy. Since the late 1830s it has been Dover's Town Hall.

DDC said the project created a sustainable future for the Maison Dieu by bringing redundant spaces back into commercial use and creating a new cafe.

The renovation of the Grade I Listed-site has also seen a new street-level visitor entrance to the Connaught Hall installed along with improved access throughout the building.

Mills said: "Come May, the Maison Dieu will once again be the heartbeat of Dover, playing a central role in the future of the town as a leading heritage and cultural centre in Kent."

The council said guided tours would be offered and events would be hosted in the site.

The project has been funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund along with DDC, Dover Town Council, The Dover Society and The Wolfson Foundation.

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