Kidderminster Town Hall revamp set to start after delays

The project, which will cost more than £8m to complete, is now due to be completed in Spring 2025 following a setback.

Work will now begin in January to transform the town centre venue into a hub for the arts, which will feature a café, bar, redeveloped courtyard, and upgraded music room.

The town hall closed in November 2022, with work on the project originally expected to start in early 2023 and be completed in the Autumn of 2024.

However, councillor David Ross, leader of Kidderminster Town Council, said the authority faced rising costs that needed to be limited which caused delays to the project. 

An artist's impression of the new-look Kidderminster Town Hall (Image: NWedR)

He said the financial issue has now been "resolved" and the council has limited costs "as best as we possibly could."

He said: "We've found the finances. We are about six months behind. It's due to open in Spring 2025". 

"Shovels will be in the ground first week of January."

Councillor Ross added: "We’re looking forward to the return of a much-loved heritage venue for arts and entertainment and community gathering.

"When the doors open, the venue will help breathe new life back into the town centre whilst still maintaining its vital local government functions”.

The development contract has recently been awarded to Malvern-based construction firm Speller Metcalfe. The construction contract value is £8,549,614.73. 

Councillor Dan Morehead, cabinet member for economic regeneration, planning and the green agenda at Wyre Forest District Council said: “It’s great to see this important project moving forward as it will be a fantastic asset to the town.

"It’s one of three major Kidderminster projects totalling £17.9 million funded through the Government’s Levelling Up Fund – a project-specific fund to improve local areas across the country.”

James Speller, managing director of Speller Metcalfe said: “As a Worcestershire-based contractor with a number of local links to Kidderminster, Speller Metcalfe is delighted to be a part of the scheme to transform the town hall into a venue of choice for the Midlands region.

“The work here will be sympathetic to the historic Grade II Listed building, while also bringing it up-to-date to create an accessible performance space that is fit for the needs of a modern community.”

Councillor David Ross and James Speller celebrating the contract to transform Kidderminster Town Hall (Image: NWedR)

Howells Associates are the architects responsible for designing the new look town hall. 

Daniel Mulligan, partner at Howells says: “The revival of the Grade II listed Kidderminster Town Hall will create a new cultural, music and community meeting space, that also breathes life back into the local high street whilst still maintaining its vital local government functions.

"We are delighted to be moving forward with this sensitive regeneration of this much-loved heritage asset and to be working in collaboration with NWedR (North Worcestershire Economic Regeneration Development) and Kidderminster Town Hall to ensure that the venue is sustainable and secured for future generations.”