A popular town market has returned to the High Street after six months of work to restore the town hall has been completed.

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.

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 market was moved from outside the Town Hall to Borough Fields Car Park, and the Town Hall Museum was temporarily closed.

The disruption was originally only expected to last 16 weeks, but significant rot discovered under parts of the hall meant that it remained under scaffolding for six months.

Now, as of Wednesday, November 20, Royal Wootton Bassett's market has returned to its original location as work on the town hall is complete.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Hall has spent six months under scaffoldingRoyal Wootton Bassett Town Hall has spent six months under scaffolding (Image: Dave Cox) The newly refurbished town hallThe newly refurbished town hall (Image: Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council) A spokesperson for Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council said: "We are very excited to announce that our market will be back in the High Street this Wednesday outside the newly refurbished town hall.

"Please come along and see all the regulars. We look forward to seeing you there."

In celebration of the move back to the High Street, two new stall holders will also join sellers at the weekly Wednesday market.

Holly from the Loaf Shack will now be offering artisan loaves and savouries every Wednesday, while Yvonne from Bumblebee Bouquets will be selling cut flowers and bouquets.

The two women will join the current stallholders from various local companies selling household items, homemade cakes, cheeses and chutneys, cards, calendars, purses, belts, dog accessories, crafts, plants, eco-cleaning products, refills, toiletries, fruit and veg.

Royal Wootton Bassett's Town Hall Museum, located next to the market, is also expected to reopen in Spring 2025.

Explaining the reasoning for the delay in restoration works, a spokesperson for the council said: "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.

"Other areas weathered better than expected, particularly on the roadside of the building."