WESTBURY’S Old Town Hall could be converted into a fully licensed restaurant, as its new owner has applied for permission to change its use.
The Old Town Hall in the Market Place, which has been disused since 2012, was bought at auction in January this year. The new owner has applied for permission to use the premises for takeaway services, alongside existing permission for restaurant/cafe use.
The application was submitted by Mrs Salima Parmak, who owns the building and runs another business in the town.
The application reads, “Maintaining the preservation and dignity of the Old Town Hall is particularly important. The change of use to a fully licensed restaurant would draw more people to the town and create interest in the historic environment.
“An open and active town hall will have positive effects on the visual appearance of Westbury as a whole and will assist greatly in the maintenance and upkeep of such an important building.”
A separate application has been made to return the inside of the building to its original layout by removing office cubicles, but the exterior of the old hall will not be changed.
The hall was built in 1815 and has a Grade II listing from English Heritage.
Reopening the building could be the first step to rejuvenating the east side of the Market Place – the Old Town Hall, the shop buildings next door and The Lopes Arms are all currently disused.
Comments are invited on the application until Wednesday 28th October.
To find out more about the plans enter 15/06834/FUL in the planning search at www.wiltshire.gov.uk
