CIRENCESTER'S historic Corn Hall looks set to be the jewel in the heart of Cirencester following its £2 million refurbishment.

The doors to the Victorian hall will open to the public for the first time in over 18 months on Friday for the antiques market and the Cotswold Craft Market on Saturday.

The developer, Wildmoor Properties, was forced to delay the opening due to archeological work found in the floor and the creation of a huge underground storage facility.

The newly-refurbished hall now features a 1,200 sq. ft. mezzanine floor which will offer stadium style seating for performances and increasing the capacity of the hall by up to 150 people.

The entrance to the hall from the Market Place will be an arcade full of small independent boutiques which have yet to be installed.

And visitors will be able to access the building from Cricklade Street and the Market Place.

Augusta Wreay, Wildmoor's Corn Hall manager said: "It really will be the jewel in the middle of Cirencester and will hopefully draw people in from various points in the town."

The Corn Hall will also go back to its roots and play host to a regular food and drink market to be held on Thursdays.

The first of these will be held on December 18 from 10am to 4.30pm.

Mark Booth, Managing Director of Wildmoor Properties, said: "I don't think you could fail to be pleased with the new Corn Hall.

"The hall has been closed for longer than we anticipated but to see the space come together the way that it has is pleasing."

It is hoped to become a major venue in the Cotswolds for musical and performing arts events.

Keith Stocken, who ran the Cotswold Craft Market for 27 years, said: "From what I have already seen it looks prettty good and we are all excited to start trading in there. We were concerned with the time it has taken but it can't be helped."

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FOR over three decades the Craftsman’s Market has been selling its handmade goods in Cirencester and now it is looking forward to a bright future in the newly-refurbished Corn Hall.

The market, set up in 1975, has been trading from the Kings Head Hotel for the last 18 months.

Organisers are keen to get back into the Corn Hall on December 6 and are looking for more craftsmen to take up stalls.

Co-organiser Colin Clark said: "It has been a long haul but I think the Corn Hall is going to be one of the premier venues in the Cotswolds when it opens.

"The Craftsman’s Market provides an opportunity for the public to buy and commission quality hand-made goods direct from the maker."

The market follows a historic trend in Cirencester, which was the hub of the arts and crafts movement.

The 32 stalls are currently taken up by jewellery makers, artists, photographers among many more and the market does not sell any bought or imported goods.

Organisers are inviting craftsmen who would like a regular outlet to sell their goods to take up a stall.

For more information call Colin Clark on 01666 504838.

The market runs on the first and third Saturday of every month.