Abingdon's historic County Hall musem gets £1.7million grant (From Oxford Mail)

Abingdon's historic County Hall musem gets £1.7million grant

4:50pm Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

ABINGDON’S County Hall Museum has been given £1.7m to complete an ambitious restoration plan.

The Heritage Lottery Fund grant means the 17th century market hall has finally got enough money to install a new lift and modernise the museum’s displays.

The cellar will be converted to house a new community space, coffee bar, toilets and shop, and the first floor Sessions Hall — where magistrates held assize courts for hundreds of years — will be fitted with new lighting, heating, air conditioning and soundproofing.

The second floor will be opened to the public, housing memorabilia from the town’s MG car factory and craft displays.

The County Hall was built between 1678 and 1684 by Christopher Kempster, who worked with Sir Christopher Wren on St Paul’s Cathedral. It is regarded as one of the finest town halls in England.

Abingdon Town Council clerk Nigel Warner said building work should start by late autumn, with the building due to reopen in 2012.

He said: “It is over 50 years since there has been major refurbishment, so a lot of work needs to be done. The town council wants to make the building fit for purpose for the 21st century.”

The Lottery grant will cover 56 per cent of the project’s costs, with the town council putting aside £500,000 towards the project.

The county and district councils, and local charitable trusts, are also making grants towards the scheme, which aims to boost annual visitor numbers from 20,000 to 30,000.

lsloan@oxfordmail.co.uk