TROWBRIDGE Town Hall is aiming to become the town’s premier music venue, after receiving £10,000 from Trowbridge Area Board and £15,000 from Arts Council England.

The money will turn the ground floor court room into a gig venue, with new lighting equipment, furniture and floor.

The town hall has now entered a partnership with promoters at the Cheese and Grain in Frome, who will put on events.

It will supports 90 gigs across the year and include a programme to develop other local promoters.

Director of Town Hall Arts David Lockwood said: “This is a transformational opportunity, not just for the town hall but for the whole of Trowbridge.

“It gives us a dedicated live music space in the centre of the town that, through our partnership with the Cheese and Grain, will be putting on quality gigs every weekend.

“This project has been bubbling away for some months.

“We called an open meeting in August to hear people’s ideas and have responded to these in pulling together the project.

“Trowbridge Town Hall Trust is a charity. We’re custodians of the historic town hall, inspired by its founding purpose for the benefit of the residents of the town for ever.

“We support and enable a range of activity and this autumn opened a cafe, art and book shop and Trowbridge’s first zero waste shop which opened recently.”

Cllr Stewart Palmen said: “I am so pleased that this venue has got the go ahead, it will give local and national musicians/bands a great venue for performance.

“Trowbridge has been sorely lacking a medium sized venue with character and atmosphere in the town centre.

“Having regular gigs here on a Friday and Saturday night will help stimulate the night-time economy and regenerate our lovely town centre. I am looking forward to hearing the first acts.”