A new era beckons for Radstock's Victoria Hall, with the announcement by B&NES Council that it will become an Arts Centre for the local community. Its main tenant will be successful Radstock business, Susan Hill School of Dancing and Bath Dance College, who will also be using the facility. The announcement comes as updated plans for the former railway land and road scheme go on show to the public this week.
The Victoria Hall, currently closed whilst asbestos removal and electrical work is carried out, is due to receive substantial investment, totalling around £660,000. The refurbishment works will see new studios and an arts theatre, community space, meeting rooms, exhibition area and coffee bar, with new electrics, boiler, a lift and toilet facilities.
Whilst the dance school will be the main user of the building, both they and the Council will be encouraging the community to make full use of the building once refurbishment is complete. Work is expected to start in the summer, with the lower floor open from September for the School of Dancing to use and the whole refurbishment completed by the end of the year.
It is hoped the new and improved Victoria Hall will see the community benefit from cinema screenings, an art gallery for local people to exhibit their work and a coffee bar with an artist's platform – to encourage those not brave enough to get up on stage to have a go in less formal surroundings.
The Council's main concern has been to make sure the Victoria Hall refurbishment was viable and sustainable. By involving a successful local business that needed larger premises, they have ensured an income and its future – however, there is now no room for the snooker hall facilities, something that particularly concerns Radstock Labour Councillor, Eleanor Jackson. She said: "I think this is an excellent idea for the Victoria Hall, but I would like to see the snooker tables retained. The intention is fully in accord with Frances, Lady Waldegrave's rules, although, of course, the library she founded has not been there for a long time. The snooker room is historic and the tables of a standard that championships could be played there. More to the point, it was a safe, alcohol-free environment for young people.
"I do hope that the means will be found so that community representatives can be involved in the running of the hall, so that it will not become a purely commercial outfit. I believe that there are a number of Town Councillors who would like to see the Radstock Town Council office moved back in there as soon as possible and, of course, that would guarantee another source of income. The Susan Hill School of Dancing are to be congratulated on their undertaking."
Speaking last week on the relocation of her business, Sue Hill said: "We are committed to playing a full part in making Victoria Hall the very best facility it can be for the whole community. The building will be much more than a dance school. Our commitment means developing the Victoria Hall to become an arts centre, where people can fulfil their potential or simply just enjoy their time with events like film evenings.
"I am delighted that our future will be at the Victoria Hall. We feared we would have to move to find a permanent home as we have grown significantly in the last year. This will give us the firm footing we need to continue to grow and increase employment in the town."
Councillor Simon Allen, (Lib-Dem, Radstock), added: "I am proud that we have been able to work with the local community to find a solution to make the Victoria Hall financially viable as a flexible community resource. I think that local residents will be delighted that we have found a local business to be the main user and to help secure the future of the building.
"The Council has said it will be encouraging the community to make full use of the Victoria Hall once refurbishment is complete and I encourage people to do that. I hope this may lead to the premises becoming a fantastic local arts centre, giving employment and recreational activities to local people of all ages and bringing something new to the town."