Renovations to ‘The Town House’ will be funded by Market Harborough and the Bowdens Charity
Market Harborough and the Bowdens Charity has submitted a planning application to Harborough District Council to refurbish and transform its property at 53-56, High Street, Market Harborough.
Subject to approval of the planning application, the building will be called The Town House and will provide a major new community hub for everyone in Market Harborough, Great Bowden and Little Bowden.
The Charity is making a multi-million-pound investment to restore the building. The new accessible community building will offer an affordable and friendly café, meeting rooms of various sizes and a large hall to rent for community activities, celebrations and events. Office space will also be available where local charities and voluntary organisations can share ideas, resources and work together collaboratively.
The restoration aims to preserve the much-loved and easily recognisable building, which was built in the 1840s and was formerly rented from the Charity by Joules and County Jewellers.
The Charity is working with local property professionals to design, plan and deliver The Town House development. The first phase of the project will be the refurbishment of the beautiful Grade II listed façade.
Dr Sarah Hill, Chair of Market Harborough and the Bowdens Charity said: “Trustees have wanted to provide a community space in the town for some time. The project originated in 2018 and the idea behind it was to bring local charities and non-profit organisations together and provide space for communities to meet.
We undertook a needs assessment to estimate demand from local community groups and potential office tenants from the local charity sector. There was strong demand for both. We’re delighted that this opportunity has finally presented itself and have submitted our plans for approval. The project presents the opportunity to use this building and yard in a new way, to further serve the residents of Market Harborough and the Bowdens.”
For more information on The Town House project, visit www.mhbcharity.co.uk/the-town-house.
