Kidderminster Town Hall reopens - a proud final chapter in the town’s Levelling Up journey
News release issued:
Kidderminster has something big to celebrate! The newly refurbished Kidderminster Town Hall has officially reopened its doors, marking the start of an exciting new era for arts, culture and entertainment in the town. The reopening also completes Kidderminster’s trio of Government-funded Levelling Up projects - a major milestone for the whole community.
In total, Wyre Forest District Council received £17.9 million in Levelling Up funding for three transformational schemes, with £8.5 million invested in bringing the much-loved Town Hall back to life.
The Town Hall sits alongside two other completed Levelling Up projects:
- The Piano Building at Weavers Wharf - once a wool warehouse and education centre, now transformed into 29,000 sq. ft. of high-quality commercial space ready for businesses on the upper floors and food and beverage tenants on the ground floor .
- The canal towpath improvements - delivered in 2023, creating a 1.6km accessible walking and cycling route into the town centre and offering a greener, easier way to travel.
Councillor Marcus Hart, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council, said:
“We’re incredibly proud of the beautiful restoration of the Town Hall delivered by Kidderminster Town Council and of all the regeneration work made possible through the Levelling Up Fund.”
Councillor Dan Morehead, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Planning and the Green Agenda, said:
“These regeneration projects have taken time and commitment, and it’s rewarding to see the opportunities they now offer for residents, businesses and visitors. We’re now looking ahead to taking forward our next major regeneration projects which are currently under discussion. They include the development of Lion Fields, improvements to Bewdley Museum, and the Bridge Street redevelopment in Stourport.”
For the latest updates on regeneration projects across the district, visit our economic development and regeneration page.
A video showcasing the completed works, along with additional information about the Levelling Up programme in Wyre Forest, is available below via YouTube:
Councillor Marcus Hart, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council, speaking:
I'm standing here outside the Town Hall in Kidderminster Town Centre, one of the flagship regeneration projects out of the Levelling Up Fund monies. Wyre Forest District Council was successful in a £17.9 million bid for three specific capital projects. 1) the refurbishment of the Town Hall. 2) the purchase and refurbishment of the Piano Building, and also about half a million pounds of that money spent on the towpath linking the Silverwoods Way estate to Kidderminster. Those were three grants specifically for three specific capital projects with a heritage focus, not money that is available for running ordinary council services in terms of day-to-day revenue, but specifically to regenerate and re-invest in the town centre with a focus on culture and heritage. £9 million was spent on the Piano Building, this is a fabulous building, it is a listed building. Over £8 million behind me on the Town Hall to make it a focus for culture events and concerts, and already the Town Hall through Kidderminster Town Council, are advertising the Town Hall for events space.
Councillor Dan Morehead, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Planning and the Green Agenda, speaking:
I'm standing here today on the canal towpath as we mark the completion of the Levelling Up Fund investment into Kidderminster Town Centre. This has totalled £17.9 million of investment from Government funding. The Piano Building which is just behind me, bringing back a historic building into use and will be used for mixed food and beverage and office space, and of course this tow path along the canal which runs for about 1.5 miles. This significant improvement has made it accessible through all weathers and really links in community in our residential areas, it links in the town centre, and of course our nature reserves. So improved for walking, cycling, running as you've just seen someone go past in the background. Really good investment into the town centre and it's great to see the improvements along this stretch of the canal.
Councillor Marcus Hart, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council, speaking:
What does this mean for the residents of not only Kidderminster, but the wider Wyre Forest? It's all about tourism, the local economy, economic regeneration. With this building behind me, people are going to visit it and they're going to spend in our restaurants, in our shops, in our bars, and it's all part of pieces in the jigsaw that Wyre Forest District Council hoovering up external government grant are using it for you, the residents across this district, to bring people back into our town, back into our district and make it a vibrant place to live, work and do business in.