A POPULAR weekly market will move to a new temporary home while £120k renovations are carried out on one of Wiltshire's historic Town Halls.

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 now the Town Hall is preparing to be restored once again as renovations costing £120,000 are set to start in May 2024 and last for 16 weeks.

During this time, the town's popular weekly market held every Wednesday around the Town Hall will be relocated to Borough Fields car park, in the area furthest from New Court Surgery.

This will be in effect from Wednesday, May 22 until Wednesday, August 21.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Royal Wootton Bassett's weekly market usually sits at the heart of the town, surrounding the historic Town Hall.Royal Wootton Bassett's weekly market usually sits at the heart of the town, surrounding the historic Town Hall. (Image: Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council)

“We know how important the market is to the community in Royal Wootton Bassett, providing a vital income for traders, and that’s why we’re happy to work with both Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council and the Town Hall Trust to temporarily move the market," explained Councillor Nick Holder, Cabinet Member for Highways and Street Scene.

“This is a unique event, which is why we have taken this approach."

While the approved relocation of the market means that local trade can continue as usual, the change is expected to have a knock-on effect on parking in Royal Wootton Bassett on Wednesdays.

Borough Fields car park, located opposite Sainsbury's, is one of the most popular parking locations in Royal Wootton Bassett and a large part of the car park will be unusable while the market is taking place.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: The town's market will move to Borough Fields Car Park for 16 weeks.The town's market will move to Borough Fields Car Park for 16 weeks. (Image: Newsquest)

"Given the number of parking spaces the market will take up, the loss of Wiltshire Council’s income would normally be recharged to the town council," added Coun Holder.

"But we are happy to make an exception in this specific case to enable these urgent structural repairs to be carried out to the Town Hall.

“We hope the community will continue to support all the market traders in their temporary new home and look forward to the historic Town Hall being restored and safeguarded for many years to come.”