New plans emerge for King’s Hall after funding denial. Essential repairs and upgrades are slated for 2026-2027 with city funds.
They asked for money in 2022, but the government denied their funding request. It was for £13 million to help the town, and part of that would fix up the King’s Hall. They wanted better sound and more space.
Now, the council plans smaller improvements. They will spend £2 million in 2026 and 2027. This covers essential repairs and upgrades.
This new plan is not the full project. The council is adjusting their original ideas and will decide what they can do with less money. They plan to use only city funds.
The city is spending more than planned before. They would have added £800,000, a sum that would have helped the bigger project. The council promises to share updates.
A council member, Chris Cornell, spoke about the hall. He said locals will help fix it, noting that the hall has not been doing well. It takes council time and money.
The hall is too small for some shows and too big for small groups. The council wants to find a better solution and wants to improve community benefit.
The council intends to invest in the hall and ensure its success. Locals love the King’s Hall very much, and they will include residents in the process.