Probus Construction Appointed as Contractor for Regeneration Project
- Jan 15
- 5 min read
The regeneration of the Grade II listed Town Hall building in Bourne town centre has taken a major step forward, with the appointment of a local contractor to deliver the scheme.
Probus Construction is set to deliver the project, which will involve the restoration and refurbishment of the Town Hall building, originally built in 1821.
The project includes the full restoration of the building, the reconstruction of the clock tower and the recommissioning of the original 200-year-old clock to operate the new dial and chime the hours.
Internally, the spaces will be restored to their former glory, with the addition of lifts and facilities to make the building accessible to all.
The new designs aim for maximum sustainability, and include improved insulation, solar panels and a heat pump technology, all contributing to bringing the building up to date through increased efficiency and contributing towards carbon neutrality.
When the work is complete, the Old Town Hall will be a heritage and culture hub for our town, offering a high-quality regular programme of entertainment and education for all ages and interests.
A significant part of the project is the Trust’s Community Activity Plan which includes heritage research, heritage outreach and education alongside events such as exhibitions, poetry, craft markets, film, live music and talks supporting the vision already created within the building and bringing ideas aimed at developing new partnerships and new audiences as the building is repaired, opening access to all and bringing the building back into daily use at the heart of Bourne.
In the long-term, the project will create a heritage and entertainment hub, at the heart of Bourne, for the benefit and enjoyment of all sectors of the community. It will restore a building which belongs to the townspeople and provide employment and volunteering opportunities.
Bourne Town Hall Trust’s restoration and regeneration project is being generously funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Trust is grateful to all National Lottery players for making this possible.
Chana Projects is supporting the Bourne Town Hall Trust as Project Managers and Contract Administrators and will oversee the delivery phase including construction, fit-out, handover and legacy activities, helping to ensure that the Trust's vision for a vibrant centre of arts and heritage is realised with care, creativity and collaboration.
Probus Construction based in the town of Bourne, are a contractor who takes great pride in their strong reputation built on their commitment to excellence and value. Probus’ passion and drive are evident in every construction project that they undertake, their commitment has resulted in repeat business which constitutes a significant amount of their work. With extensive experience across all of projects Probus provides a comprehensive building service.
A statement from Steven Ellis, Managing Director of Probus Construction:
As a Bourne-based construction company we are hugely excited to be able to work on this project as it enables us to give back to the Bourne community. We are honoured to be able to contribute to the preservation of such an important historic building, allowing its long and complex history to endure. As a contractor with experience in the preservation of historic buildings we are confident that we can restore the town hall so that it can be once again used by the community.
Charles Houseago, Chair, Bourne Town Hall Trust said
We are moving into the next crucial stage of our project and we are extremely pleased to be working with a local company, Probus Construction, based in Bourne itself. The next chapter in the fascinating story of this wonderful building will continue in the hands of a local company, reinforcing the strong links with the local community and its people which are so key to the project.
Work on site is set to begin in early February with completion and re-opening of the building planned for 2027.
About Probus Construction
We are a main contractor based in South Lincolnshire, focused on projects within a 2 hours travel distance from Bourne. By concentrating on this area, we consistently deliver high-quality projects on time and within budget, all while ensuring our employees maintain a healthy work-life balance.
We take pride in our strong reputation, built on our commitment to excellence, value, and long-term customer relationships. Our passion and drive are evident in every construction project we undertake, and this commitment has resulted in repeat business that constitutes a significant portion of our turnover.
Our diverse clientele spans various sectors, including food, retail, education, medical, commercial offices, industrial, and affordable housing. We handle projects valued up to £5 million and offer innovative, practical solutions for both new builds and refurbishments. With extensive experience across all types of projects, we provide a comprehensive building service, demonstrating our versatility and adaptability.
In Latin, “Probus” means “honest” and “trustworthy,” which are the core values that underpin our service. These values guide every aspect of our business, from building strong relationships with customers, consultants, suppliers, and subcontractors to treating everyone respectfully and earning the same in return.
About Bourne Town Hall
Bourne Town Hall is a striking classical Georgian Grade II building which over the last two centuries has served the people of Bourne as a sessions house, fire station, shambles market, town hall and council offices but which has stood empty since 2014 and is at risk of falling into further disrepair; this funding from the Heritage Fund will secure the building for the people of Bourne.
Built in 1821 on land originally donated to the town of Bourne by the Marquis of Exeter, with additional capital raised from 123 local subscribers, the construction of the building is a fantastic example of early crowdfunding and community support.
Bourne Town Hall Trust is a volunteer-led charity (1176315) set up in 2017 with the ambition of restoring Bourne’s Old Town Hall into an exciting and vibrant centre of heritage and culture for the community. Since then, our Trustees and volunteers have worked tirelessly to develop the plans working with the community and a wider professional team.
Look out on our website and social media for project updates, fundraising events and opportunities to support us throughout.
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.
Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities.
Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter/X, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLottery #HeritageFund
Further information
For further information, images and interviews please contact Jane Gabbutt at Bourne Town Hall Trust at info@bournetownhalltrust.org.uk
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