The Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Mrs Johanna Ropner, visited Guisborough Town Hall at the weekend.
A plaque was unveiled at the special visit to mark the recent opening of the historic building which has received an incredible transformation.
The Lord-Lieutenant, who was greeted by the Deputy Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, Cllr Malcolm Head, is Her Majesty the Queen’s representative in the County.
Guisborough Town Hall is now home to a heritage and information centre, beautiful visitor accommodation with facilities for cyclists, and an award-winning gin distillery, Shorty’s Gins.
The building recently received recognition at the Constructing Excellence Yorkshire and Humber Awards 2022 and was Highly Commended in the Conservation and Regeneration category.
Guisborough Town Hall has had many uses from Magistrates Office and Petty Sessions Court to a solicitors’ office and had stood empty since 2013 until it was bought by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council for £70,000 in 2015.
Thanks to National Lottery players this important heritage building has been preserved for it to be enjoyed by locals and visitors and to play a significant role in boosting the local economy and aiding the wider regeneration of Guisborough.
The project received a grant of £1.3m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and subsequent grants from Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority and Sirius Mining Foundation.
Andy Murray, Chairman of Guisborough Town Hall CIC, said:
“All the hard work in securing grant aid and funding has paid off. In the restored town hall, we now have a building fit for purpose for the 21st Century. An important part of the heritage of Guisborough has been preserved. The entire community are able to share a sense of pride in this brilliant restoration.”
The Deputy Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, Cllr Malcolm Head, said:
“I was delighted to meet the Lord-Lieutenant and it was privilege to welcome her to the area.”
Cllr Chris Gallacher, Cabinet Member for Economic Development at the council, said:
“It was an honour to welcome Lord-Lieutenant to Guisborough. The building is a valuable asset for the town, especially for those visiting our beautiful North York Moors.
“It’s also fantastic news that the building received Highly Commended at a recent award ceremony. The team who have worked on this project should be very proud of what they have achieved.”