Guisborough Town Hall has been transformed, offering visitors a fantastic venue on the edge of the North York Moors.
On the ground floor, the renovated building is home to Brotton company Shorty’s Gins – a shop and award-winning distillery – run by Rachael “Shorty” Consibee.
The Heritage and Information Centre, also on the ground floor, will be managed by the Guisborough Town Hall Gateway CIC, which was established in 2016 as a partnership between the community and the council to secure the future of the town hall.
The top two floors of the building, which was built in 1821, and a further storey added in 1870, are home to seven bedrooms, which can sleep 17, a communal lounge and dining areas. This unique space has been designed for large groups of people to stay in. The accommodation is run by Guisborough business Odd Socks.
The Grade II-listed building also has facilities for cyclists including bicycle storage. Visitors can book to stay at the venue by visiting Sykes Holiday Cottages.
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 the Council bought it for £70,000 in 2015.
Thanks to National Lottery players, this important heritage building has been preserved 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.
To find out more, please visit the Guisborough Town Hall Gateway website.