Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge Town Council may move from its current home in Jaycroft Road into the newly-acquired Princess Hall in the centre of town.
The move is one of several options on the table after yesterday’s news that months of talks about the future of the hall had come to a head when the town council was awarded a £75,000 grant to take on ownership of the building, pictured, from Sedgemoor District Council.
While talks are still ongoing and the finer details of the arrangements are yet to be decided, it now looks likely that the hall will become Town Council owned by October 2007.
Talking to Burnham-On-Sea.com after the decision was made at a full meeting of district councillors, Cllr Neville Jones said: “In my mind, we must move into the centre of the town. We would be in the heart of the community.”
“Not enough people in Burnham know where we currently are in Jaycroft Road – The Princess would be an ideal location for the council.”
He added that the town council had given a commitment to Sedgemoor that the building would be reserved for community use when it moves into the hands of the town council next October.
“It should become a central focal point in the town. We’d like to see a wide range of community events being held here every day – from arts and music, to giving blood and antiques shows.”
Cllr Jones, who has led many of the negotiations to save the Hall during the past year, added: “It is tremendous news – a great Christmas present for the people of Burnham.”
The town council’s current Jaycroft Road premises, pictured above, include two meeting halls and a suite of offices. The building was purchased for £55,000 and would certainly sell for far more today.
Talks on the future of The Princess had been ongoing for several months between Sedgemoor and Burnham and Highbridge Town Council about a possible change of ownership. As reported by Burnham-On-Sea.com in February, Sedgemoor was embarking on a cost-cutting exercise and said it wanted a new organisation to take over the building’s management.
Councillor Duncan McGinty, Leader of Sedgemoor District Council, said in a statement: “I am delighted that these negotiations are nearly completed and with that, the Princess will be under local control and is secure for future uses by the residents and visitors to Burnham-On-Sea. It is a valuable community asset to the towns of Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge and we are truly thrilled at the outcome of these negotiations. This goes to show what can be achieved by successful partnerships within local government.”
