THE Corn Hall in Cirencester is set to close next week until Christmas while extensive work on the historic building is carried out.

But traders who regularly use the hall in Market Place have been told they can use the King's Head Hotel on a temporary basis over the next eight months.

Wildmoor Properties bought the Corn Hall from Cotswold District Council for £650,000 and is embarking on a restoration programme to reinstate historic links with the King's Head and rejuvenate both buildings.

The King's Head is already closed and undergoing its refurbishment with re-opening planned for spring 2008.

The dates of the first markets to take place at the hotel will be the Antiques Market on April 27, the Cotswold Craft Market on April 28 and the Craftsman Market on May 5.

Frank Lewis, organiser of the Antiques Market, commented: "We are obviously delighted we will be able to continue trading during the closure of the Corn Hall and particularly pleased the King's Head is so close and convenient for both traders and customers.

"Nonetheless, we also look forward to returning to a much-improved facility when the Corn Hall reopens."

Wildmoor managing director Mark Booth said: "Both the Corn Hall and the King's Head occupy an important position at the physical and social heart of Cirencester and have served the community faithfully for many years.

"Our current programme of restoration aims to return them to their former glory and a focal point in the town."

Specific elements of the renovation of the Corn Hall include the conversion of existing offices and storage rooms either side of the passage from Market Place to provide an arcade of small shops aimed at establishing a stronger integration between the Corn Hall and the town centre.

Wildmoor operates a number of mixed-use sites across the UK and specialises in town centre sites with a range of uses, including retail space.

The company has an investment portfolio with a gross asset value in excess of £200m, spread across the country.

Aside from buying the Corn Hall for £650,000, Wildmoor is spending £500,000 on refurbishing the historic building.