Plans have been submitted this week for major improvements to the Athenaeum in Bury St Edmunds.
If approved by Development Control Committee, St Edmundsbury is set to invest £574,000 in the refurbishment works which will create a modern building with excellent facilities for conferences and events as well as improving accessibility.
The scheme will include a lift to the first floor, new toilets on the ground and first floors, new reception area and cloakroom and an additional fire exit in the ballroom allowing occupancy to increase from 200 to 400.
Two additional meeting rooms will also be created, in the front foyer, which will increase the number of rooms available for hire to six. The Athenaeum already caters for a range of events, such as community activities, conferences, seminars, wedding receptions, auctions and corporate events. Between 2004/5 there were over 800 bookings which created a lettings income of around £110,000. The improvements will enable the building to be used for an even greater number and variety of events.
The building work will meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act, making the Athenaeum more accessible for those with disabilities.
Cllr John Griffiths, Leader of the Council said:
“The plans put forward for consideration by our Development Control Committee will make significant improvements to the Athenaeum. It’s already a wonderful building and the proposed works will make it even better for all members of the community.”
Full Council approved the funding at a meeting in February this year. If planning permission is given, work is scheduled to start in January 2006. The building will be closed to the public from 1 January and will reopen at the end of July. All groups and individuals who use the Athenaeum have been contacted and alternative arrangements have been made where necessary.
For more information please contact Darren Squire, Public Halls Manager on 01284 761371.
ENDS
ISSUED BY MARIA STAFF, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757033. maria.staff@stedsbc.gov.uk
