THE CHAIR of an Evesham voluntary body that champions civic pride has called for the owners of the historic town hall to take immediate action to restore the building.
Gill Pawson of Evesham Civic Society has spoken of her frustration about the current state of the building and said ‘the town deserves better’.
The Grade II listed building on Market Square has been gradually falling into a state of disrepair which is now affecting the fabric of the structure and limiting its appeal as a venue for hire.
Town clerk Jo Adams confirmed the building was in a ‘serious condition’ with water pouring in from a hole in the ceiling of the Mayor’s Parlour. She said that the carpet and curtains were now so mouldy they would have to be thrown away.
Window frames in the main hall are rotting, paintwork is peeling and external downpipes are rusting. Three corners of the clock tower are leaking water causing timbers to rot resulting in the council having to turn off the clock.
Mrs Pawson said: “The society is well aware of the state of decay that is befalling the building. The lack of repair and maintenance is limiting the potential to be used as its primary purpose, namely for the proper running of the town council.
“Its use for public meetings and events is also severely limited, thus reducing the income available to the council to undertake its responsibilities relating to the venue and the wider town in general.
“This important historic building occupies a prominent location in the town which deserves better – the town deserves better, if it is to combat the decline brought on by the change in shopping habits. We need to celebrate our historic heritage, not allow it to crumble.”
The owner of the building is PJK Investments which also owns Riverside Shopping Centre. It was granted a full repairing long lease in 2017 which Wychavon District Council originally set up in 1989 and as such is responsible for the external repairs.
Frustrations about the current state of the building were aired at last Monday’s town plan committee meeting of the town council when water was leaking through the ceiling in the Mayor’s Parlour as the meeting took place.
Councillor Peter Scurfield, chair of the planning and estates committee: “It is a great shame that the town hall has been allowed to deteriorate. Currently, it is at the stage where the repairs are expensive but manageable. Unless action is taken very soon, the building will fall into serious disrepair where major remedial work will be required.”
Councillor Mark Goodge added: “I’m really disappointed with the attitude of the leaseholder of the town hall, who has been deliberately neglectful of their legal obligations to keep the external structure in good repair. This shows a lack of respect for both the council as well as the users of the town hall and the residents of Evesham.”
The Observer has contacted PJK Investments which is based in Henley-in-Arden for comment and is currently waiting for a response.
Meanwhile, the council has resolved to write to Wychavon to ask for support in enforcing the repair obligations.
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