At least £2 million needed for Salisbury City Hall improvements
The roof repairs needed are 'significant' and the venue can't open until it's sorted
Salisbury City Hall cannot reopen as an entertainment venue without major work.
Repairs were thought to cost in the region of £300,000, but the roof needs more significant work done, with the number now at least £2.1 million.
“We've always been clear that we're going to reopen City Hall as a live entertainment venue,” said Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council, who added: “I am told that we cannot let live music happen in the building at the moment because if we do, the vibrations from loud music could literally bring the roof down. So, we are having to revise our plans.”
The council are assessing various plans, including the Salisbury Library moving in and the Cultural Quarter.
“Can we go back to the idea of creating the cultural quarter, moving the library into City Hall, doing significant work to the building, making the auditory and more fit for purpose?” says Cllr Clewer.
“I'm told it's just the wrong size. It should be a little smaller, a little bigger.”
An Attractive Prospect
Cllr Clewer says creating better spaces for people to enjoy is an “attractive” prospect.
“The chance of having a more modern library a more a much better designed bar, a music venue and then a place to display the Young Gallery, it becomes an attractive proposition.
“I cannot guarantee you that when I get the plans back the cost will not be so high that it's just not viable but I think it's worth a really serious attempt to look at.”
But with little in the way of levelling-up funding coming from the Government, Cllr Clewer says we are going to drive the funding ourselves.
“It will cost a lot more than £3 million to do what we're looking at doing,” he said, “So, we're looking at capital allocation and thinking can we apply some of that across to City Hall to develop that purpose-built building.”
Looking for a partner
The Council are hoping to find a partner to run the building, which Cllr Clewer hopes can become a modern cultural space.
It is hoped that a revived City Hall can bring multiple benefits to the city.
“We've got to see it reopen. Wiltshire is not about shopping anymore, It's about a mix of shopping and events, live music, theatre, and art galleries as well as coffee shops and restaurants.
“It's about giving people that mix of events, mix of things to do that brings them in.”
Cllr Clewer says the council are not “experts” in running entertainment venues and aim to bring in a partner during the design process to come up with a building that can last the next 50 years.