Historic building to reopen after £1.8m renovation

A historic building which has undergone a £1.8m renovation is due to reopen as council office and community hub.

The Manor House in Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, was purchased in a "rundown" condition by the town council as part of a "major project".

The site has previously been a base for a district council, social services and then later became a magistrates' court.

Councillors said they hope the new building will bring "provision of the highest quality services for the community".

The council sold its previous offices at the Civic Centre on Station Road in a bid to secure a site with more space.

Prior to the move, the local authority said it regularly received requests from groups wanting a venue for meetings.

Plans to redevelop the Manor House into a multi-purpose space with meeting rooms, an exhibition venue, office space and a CCTV suite were approved in February 2023.

The council secured a £1m loan from the Public Works Loan Board to pay for the project.

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