Latest news with #KidderminsterTownCouncil
BBC News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Kidderminster Town Hall improvements are a 'game-changer'
The refurbishment of Kidderminster Town Hall has been described as a "game-changer". Matt Smith, town hall manager, said the works, which included new dressing rooms, would enable the space to be used for pantomimes and comedians. He said: "It was not just on the maintenance of the building, the efficiency and the access, but also the flexibility of the space to make it more commercially viable."Renovation works at the Grade II Listed building have been underway since January, with the project on course to reopen its doors in autumn 2025, according to Wyre Forest District Council. Mr Smith said Kidderminster Town Council originally looked at future-proofing the town hall about six years ago. The town hall secured £8.5m through the government's Levelling Up Fund after proposals were first put forward in redevelopment will see a complete refurbishment of the café area, transforming it into an indoor and outdoor space which can be further divided into separate areas for group the building there are upgrades to the mechanical and electrical services, including the installation of a new lift, improved disabled entrances and refurbishment of ground floor toilet areas. The King Charles suite roof is also being restored, with improvements in insulation features to make the room more energy-efficient and Smith said: "Hopefully this will regenerate the town, that's what we've got to think. Hopefully people will start coming out into town with more bars open, more cafes open."That's the idea and the plan," he added. The town hall is also the home to a William Hill organ, which the town hall manager said he was "very proud" organ was built by a renowned Victorian organ builder and Mr Smith said: "It's one of the few surviving William Hill organs that has been preserved to its original form." Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
30-01-2025
- General
- BBC News
Kidderminster Town Council aims to reopen pool by 2026
A much-loved paddling pool in Kidderminster could reopen next year, the town's council has pool in St George's Park was last open to users in 2022, but following a £104,000 repair bill it was shut off by the local authority.A campaign to save the pool has since gathered more than 2,000 signatures, with local parents arguing it is an important community Town Council, which owns the park, said it aimed to reopen the pool by summer 2026, and it would explore funding options before making a final decision. "It would be a thumbs up for the council. Completely brilliant," said resident Syed Miah.A father of four, he said his elder children had used the pool before it was shut off."It'd be nice for the community. The kids are really missing those opportunities here," he said. "For some families it's the only way they get to take their children into water," said Janet Hemming, 80, whose house overlooks the park."Some days when I'm sat here... it reminds me of Blackpool with all the people with all their picnics.""We just hope we can get it reopened again," she George's Park was handed over the Kidderminster Town Council to run in significant repairs were identified following the pool's summer season in 2022, the council agreed to mothball the water feature, to give the community time to find external funding to support work to bring it back into well as repairs, this included the introduction of new equipment to monitor chlorine levels. In 2023, the then Conservative leader of the council, David Ross, said the "renewal" of the pool was not possible in the financial climate of the then, an initial estimate of £104,000 has now risen to close to £130,000, the council's public realm manager Adam Stockhall said. At a full council meeting last week, town councillors agreed a motion to "aim to re-open the paddling pool for summer 2026".But in a statement, external the local authority stressed no final decision had been made. It said further work, including full financial costings, would be commissioned at a meeting in caveat has dampened some residents' spirits. "It is welcome news," Janet Hemming said, "but come next year they won't be able to find the money won't they?"I can't see it happening.""It's just sad to know that they're going to leave the paddling pool another year empty," said Moshahid Hussain, another father who also lives opposite the park. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, external, X, external, and Instagram, external.
