The Armstrong Hall Trust and Thornbury Community and Arts (TCA) are pleased to announce a speedy and constructive start to the process of investigating the reopening of the Armstrong Hall Complex in Chapel Street.
The Armstrong Hall was closed during the Covid lockdown in 2020. Being already in need of a costly upgrade, it has remained shut since then.
The Armstrong Hall Trust undertook an appraisal of options to reintroduce a performance facility to the town.
When a generous donor offered money which would enable restorative work to commence on the Armstrong Hall, the Trust decided to work with the Thornbury Community and Arts (TCA) Community Interest Company to progress the refurbishment project, and also the operation of the facility once restored.
The Trust now has a working group of delegates who will ensure that plans for the Complex are fully compliant with all current safety regulations, while supporting TCA to achieve these standards.
In the meantime, TCA is establishing an appropriate organisational structure to manage the planning not only of the short-term building restoration, but also the reopening and operation of the community-led business, which will run it for the benefit of the town and surrounding area.
During this initial investigation and planning stage, it won’t be possible to predict a date for the reopening, as it will depend largely on the work which needs to be done on the buildings. A building surveyor has already paid a first visit, and they will propose a process for undertaking a full inspection.
Both the Trust and TCA feel confident that Thornbury is now on its way to regaining the facilities it needs and deserves.
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