A PLAN to transform Trowbridge Town Hall into a nationally renowned arts centre has received a much-needed financial boost with a grant for almost £100,000 from the Arts Council.

The money is part of the Grants For The Arts programme and will secure exhibitions, performances and learning opportunities for the next two years.

It adds to funding already agreed by Wiltshire Council and Trowbridge Town Council, as Trowbridge Arts and Trowbridge Town Hall Trust unite to form one organisation which will oversee the centre’s development.

Clare Jack, the chairman of the Trowbridge Town Hall Trust, said: “This is really wonderful news for the development of the Town Hall and for Trowbridge and the wider community.

“While much has been achieved through Trowbridge Arts to date, bringing together the building and the activity is a really important step in ensuring a long term future for the arts in Trowbridge, which in turn gives us a really strong base from which we can ensure the town hall gets the further investment it needs to continue to be a valuable asset for the community.”

After four years of development, Mrs Jack said the centre will remain the home of its eight studio artists, the artists’ shop and community groups who run their activities from the town hall.

Alongside the programme of events in the venue, this funding will also enable Trowbridge Town Hall to support other cultural organisations in the town to develop arts in the community.

Tracy Sullivan, the director of Trowbridge Arts, added the funding means the trustees can optimistically look to the future in providing an arts, culture and heritage centre in the county town of Wiltshire.

She added: “We wouldn’t be able to source capital funding for the development of the town hall unless we can show that we can put on activities throughout the year. and that is why it is so important that We’ve been given nearly £100,000 to because it shows we have the support of the Arts Council in turning the town hall into an arts centre.”

A new season will begin in September with Arts exhibitions continuing throughout the summer.

For more information about what is on offer, Visit www.trowbridgearts.com. or 01225 774306.