Fresh questions are being raised about the cost and delay of the refurbishment of Midsomer Norton Town Hall as the total estimated project cost reaches £2,380,034.
The latest figures provided by Midsomer Norton Town Council show that the estimated main construction cost now stands at £1,966,603, with an expected opening date of May 2026.
When the principal construction contract was originally signed in July 2022, the build cost was £1,095,797, with a contract completion date of **30 June 2023**.
The latest estimate means the construction cost has increased by around £870,806 above the original contract sum — approximately 80 per cent higher while the project has been delayed by almost three years.
Little public information has been released about the project’s rising costs and delays.
Back in August 2024 the council released a report stating that delays had occurred after the Conservation Officer raised concerns that some work was not compliant with listed building consent. The report also highlighted significant structural works, including underpinning and rebuilding sections of a cross wall and strengthening floors, as well as delays caused by material shortages, contractors failing to attend site and delays manufacturing windows.
At the time, the report stated that: “it has become clear that ANG (the contractor) have not used their best endeavours to diligently progress the works” adding that “between July and August very little work took place.”
In August 2024 the principal construction cost was estimated to be £1.56m, with an anticipated opening date of January 2025.
At the time the council stated that: “Delays have been caused through a number of factors, many of which are not unsurprising bearing in mind the listed status and age of the building.”
No information has been made public since August 2024 explaining why the principal construction cost has risen to £1,966,603 and why the opening date has slipped to May 2026.
The refurbishment was originally intended to be delivered in two phases. Phase 1 focused on restoring the Grade II listed Market Hall, improving accessibility and upgrading facilities within the existing building. Phase 2 was planned as a side extension to the Town Hall. According to the council Phase 2 of the project will no longer proceed.
One local resident said the rising costs and delays had raised concerns about how the project had been managed by the council:
“With this project being nearly £870,000 over budget and almost three years late, it is clear that the council have demonstrated serious weaknesses in project management and financial governance,” they said.
It is simply not good enough to say that the building was old and listed – those facts were known at the start of the project and should have been properly planned for. The people of Midsomer Norton have a right to know why the project has cost so much more than originally agreed and why it is so significantly delayed. The council should now publish a detailed report setting out exactly how the refurbishment was managed and what led to the cost increases and delays.”
News of the town hall project comes as the Town Council recently voted to increase its precept by around 20 per cent, with councillors stating that they wanted to improve transparency around council spending and finances.
The council has yet to publicly announce when the Town Hall will officially reopen, which organisations will use the building, or what events it will host.
Absolutely disgusting how may low cost housing could have been built for this amount. You have a nerve to ask for 20 percent rise for you to waste on other ventures. Do you just pick a number and add a few noughts on the end for your funding. Needs a public meeting to show exactly what the funds were spent on.