Demolition work on the Melksham House site has begun with the process to procure the main contractor to re-develop the property also underway.

Preparatory works have already been completed onsite, with the full refurbishment works due to start once the Community Campus is complete.

From that point, Wiltshire Council has said the work will take around 12 months, and the end result will see the historic building becoming a "flexible workspace and a multi-purpose facility for the community".

Last December, Wiltshire Council's cabinet agreed to funnel another £2.8m towards the refurbishment scheme, as well as demolish the Blue Pool.

Preparatory demolition work started on the site earlier this year, with the refurbishment work due to get underway later this year once Melksham Community Campus, which is located on the same site, has opened.

The works include the demolition of newer parts of the building as well as the removal of some of the internal fittings and finishes.

A portion of the funding will also go towards demolishing the Blue Pool building following the opening of Melksham Community Campus later this year.

The future of the site itself is not known at this stage, but more opportunities and options will be available to the council once the building is demolished.

Wiltshire Council is hoping to work with Melksham Town Council to investigate how they can come together to develop opportunities in Melksham town centre.

Cabinet member for strategic assets, Phil Alford said in January: “Although in the very early stages, it’s good to see activity on the ground take place for this project.

“One of our top priorities in our new business plan is a thriving economy and after a challenging period following the pandemic, a workspace like this will certainly be an attractive asset for the town and local area.

“The construction of the campus continues to make excellent progress and we look forward to work formally starting on the refurbishment of Melksham House once that opens later in the year.”