SCAFFOLDING is being installed at the front of Bridgwater Town Hall today, August 19, ahead of plans to upgrade the building and bring it into the 21st century.

The scaffolding is being installed over the next two weeks before work to upgrade the front face of the Grade II listed building takes places.

The work is expected to last 10 weeks and Bridgwater Town Council said scaffolding will be removed before the start of Bridgwater Carnival in November.

This is the first stage of a £5.4 million site-wide redevelopment of the listed building and the adjacent theatre, designed to take it into its next phase of history.

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The planned works to the front of the building include repairing the masonry – including removing defective render, replacing with new lime render – and a full repaint.

The sash windows will also be refurbished, repaired and repainted, alongside the existing doors and the metal railings. Handrails and rainwater goods will also be refurbished and redecorated

New bird netting will also be installed and Solar Photovoltaic (PV) cells will be installed on the roof in preparation for transitioning from gas central heating to electric heating and hot water supply.

A Bridgwater Town Council spokesperson said: “This is the first step for Bridgwater Town Hall reducing the use of fossil fuels and moving to renewable energy sources to minimise its impact on the environment and adapt to climate change.

“Any roof repairs will be undertaken in advance of the PV insulation to ensure the maximum life span of the cells.

“By grouping these tasks together, scaffolding will only need to be erected once. This work is expected to take 10 weeks in total.

“Users of the Town Hall theatre area are reassured that is will not affect any bookings or performances and that it will be ‘business as usual’ for the building.

“Works will be completed and scaffolding removed before Bridgwater Carnival.”