The reopening date for an iconic town hall which has spent months under scaffolding has been pushed back.

The Royal Wootton Bassett Town Hall has stood proudly in the town since the end of the 17th century and was originally presented to Royal Wootton Bassett by the Hyde family.

The upper floor was a council chamber built on 15 pillars, while below there was a store room for market goods and also a lock-up, which was extensively restored in 1889.

But in May 2024, the town hall was put under scaffolding whilst urgent repairs costing approximately £120,000 were carried out.

Royal Wootton Bassett's weekly Wednesday market was moved to Borough Fields Car Park, and the Town Hall Museum temporarily closed.

The renovation was expected to take approximately 16 weeks, reopening around September 9, but this has now been pushed back after "significant rot" has been discovered on the bottom steps, balustrades and handrail.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council has confirmed that the town hall will officially reopen in November 2024, two months later than planned, with the Town Hall Museum returning in spring 2025.

The town hall has spent almost four months under scaffoldingThe town hall has spent almost four months under scaffolding (Image: Dave Cox)

"Good progress has been made on the renovations of the Town Hall with amazing workmanship being undertaken by our contractors to restore our iconic building," said a spokesperson for Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council.

"As with any heritage building, some areas of the building have required more work than anticipated, such as the plaster on the two ends of the building, whilst other areas have weathered better than expected, particularly on the roadside of the building.

"Our contractors have been working closely with Wiltshire Council’s Conservation Officer, who has guided additional work required to repair the slats and plaster on the building, which has been treated with anti-fungal substance as has the floor inside.

"We now expect the works to be completed early November, and ahead of Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day, and our Wednesday Market will return to its historic venue around the Town Hall from Wednesday 20th November, after the Christmas Trees are delivered on Sunday 17th November.

"In the meantime, the market will continue in its temporary home in Boroughfields Carpark.

"The Town Hall Museum will reopen in Spring 2025."