Barnstaple Guildhall: Urgent repairs to town’s 19th century landmark get underway

Work has started on urgent repairs to Barnstaple’s historic Guildhall following a grant of £260,692 from Historic England.

The grant will help fund repairs to the Grade II* listed building’s outside stonework, render, windows and roof to make it sound and watertight for years to come.

Following a tender process, Pearce Construction (Barnstaple) Ltd has been appointed to do the work, which is expected to take up to 20 weeks to complete.

Scaffolding will need to be erected to carry out the works and there may be some disruption during this time in the streets around the Guildhall.

The repair project is also supported by £100,000 from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ Future High Street Fund, which aims to renew and reshape town centres and high streets in a way that improves experience, drives growth and ensures future sustainability.

The 19th century Guildhall and former courthouse is still used for meetings of Barnstaple Town Council and ceremonial events such as the annual Mayor Making and is also a popular venue and visitor attraction, as well as hosting a varied programme of events and exhibitions.

Inside, the historic wood panelling and carving reflects a different age and visitors can view the town silver as well as many fascinating relics of Barnstaple’s past.

Above: The Guildhall currently needs repairs to its stonework and roof following years of deterioration

The last major work on the building, in 2006, was the installation of a lift and other facilities to improve the accessibility of the Guildhall.

The Mayor of Barnstaple, Councillor Louisa York, said: “The work on the Guildhall is long overdue, and as one of the Town’s principal and most prominent buildings, it is important that it is restored to its former glory.

“Its position on the corner of the High Street and Butcher’s Row means that this restoration will help to breathe new life into Barnstaple Town Centre. The town council will be putting in place a maintenance programme to ensure that it will continue to be cared for into the future.”

Rebecca Barrett, South West regional director at Historic England, added: “Barnstaple is justly proud of its Guildhall and the vital role it plays in the life of the town.  Our investment will help ensure it is in good repair and can continue to support the community and the local economy for generations to come.”

Councillor Malcolm Prowse, North Devon Council lead member for economic development and strategic planning and chair of the Barnstaple Regeneration Board, said: “I am delighted to see these works to Barnstaple Guildhall come forward; they will significantly contribute to the ongoing regeneration of Barnstaple town centre.

“The Guildhall is such a special building and these works will complement the recent renovation of the pannier market and the remainder of Market Quarter works taking place thanks to the Future High Streets Fund.”

North Devon MP Selaine Saxby added: “I am glad that between Historic England and the wider funding made available from the Department of Levelling Up that this work will be going ahead shortly.

“With the vast amount of work happening in Barnstaple town centre to upgrade, enhance and maintain the High Street it is great to see this prominent building getting the attention it deserves.”

The Guildhall was designed by local architect Thomas Lee and built between 1826 and 1828 in a neo-Classical style. Lee’s other buildings include the Wellington Monument in Somerset and Arlington Court.

The ground floor of the Guildhall has an open archway leading through to the recently renovated Pannier Market. The Mayor’s Parlour, created in 1922 out of the former courtroom cells, is also on the ground floor.

The Guildhall first floor houses the Main Chamber, which was the Crown Court for 130 years. It features painted oak panelling and a decorative plasterwork ceiling, tiered public gallery seating, a Justices’ bench, and two square mobile boxes on rollers for the accused and witnesses.

Above there is a small bell house, or cupola. There is also the Dodderidge Room, which features 17th-century wood panelling and an intricately carved fireplace.

The Guildhall was listed at Grade II* in 1951. It was placed on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register in November 2022.

Above: Barnstaple Guildhall in 1946

Historic England is inviting people to share their memories and photographs of Barnstaple Guildhall with the Missing Pieces Project.

Do you have a photo – new or old? A memory or story, or something you know about it? You can add photos, drawings, audio, film, or text. Everything you add is an important piece of the picture.

Visit https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/missing-pieces to find out more.