WESTBURY’S historic Laverton Institute building formally re-opened last weekend as a multi-purpose venue and community centre.
The results of the extensive refurbishment programme were available for all to see at a formal launch reception on Friday 21st October, while the building was open to the public on Saturday for tours and displays.
The newly refurbished building represents the culmination of phase 2 of the Laverton project, which has involved a successful programme of grant fund raising, allowing for the recent and very substantial refurbishment and redevelopment of the main hall, meeting rooms and public spaces.
The Laverton Institute was built in 1873 by Abraham Laverton, who from humble beginnings as the ninth child of a Trowbridge handloom weaver became a mill owner, JP, and Liberal MP for Westbury. The building was one of his many philanthropic gifts to the people of Westbury.
In 2003 the town council became the sole trustees of the Laverton, and in 2008, the Laverton Project was set up by a working group of Westbury Town Council to explore how the building could be brought back into wider community use.
The project has been funded through a mixture of loans and grants totalling £150,000. The funding has enabled the building to be refurbished to a high standard for 21st century use, with the upgrading of access and toilet facilities, the provision of state-of-the-art facilities for conferences, meetings, and entertainment, the re-equipment of the kitchen, the installation of a new security system, and redecoration throughout.
The project is now looking towards phase 3, which will run from January 2012. This phase will involve the active marketing of the venue and community engagement to encourage local interest and uptake while phase 4, running from next spring, will see broad public consultation to fully explore various options for making the best use of the new facilities and further grant applications.
For information on using the Laverton please contact Keith Harvey, town clerk, Westbury Town Council, 01373 822232.
