PLANS for a modernised Assembly Hall in Melksham have been shown to local residents who attended two public consultation meetings in the venue on November 30.

They include a new foyer, a new stage for dance performances, retractable seating, new lighting, sliding partitions and balcony area, and the refurbishment off the ladies toilets.

The meetings were organised by Melksham Town Council and CaSA Architects of Bath who are helping to develop a feasibility study.

The architects will take people’s comments into account when they assess whether it is possible to modernise, re-design the building or build a new Assembly Hall on the site.

Town council chief executive Stephen Gray said: “People felt the toilets, the bar and the foyer needed the most work. They used post-it notes to explain what they liked/disliked about the existing spaces. They felt the hall is dated, there is a lack of parking, the bar is too small, the Assembly Hall is ‘hidden away’, and the stage and hall floor were slippery.

“The community like the size, location, flexibility, facilities offered by the Assembly Hall, and were really positive about the variety of events/acts. The community was asked what their visions were for the refurbished Assembly Hall. These visions were then incorporated into a ‘future tour’ at the end of the morning session, where the group toured the Assembly Hall as it would be 10 years in the future.

“The tour included being drawn to the Assembly Hall from the Market Place by the newly-lit sign, generous parking provision for the less able bodied, walking through a naturally lit foyer between the Assembly Hall and the Town Hall that had a local artist exhibiting and a small band playing in the corner.

“Sliding doors closed part of the foyer off from a family area with toys and play equipment. The bar opens onto this new foyer so the audience could spill out into this space.

“The refurbished hall had a new stage for dance performances, retractable seating, large roof-lights with electric black-out blinds, sliding partitions, and a balcony area. The ladies toilets had been refurbished and enlarged to look like old theatre powder rooms with red velvet cushions, flock wallpaper, and large mirrors.”

The feasibility study is expected to take at least six months to complete but could take longer if more time is required.