Trowbridge Town Hall is to close from July next year until at least 2025 according to new plans approved in a Wiltshire Council Cabinet meeting last week.

It will close for an £8.5m extensive interior refurbishment and redesign that will last around 18 months and will also see the the Grade II listed building become a major music venue.

The refurbishment is part of the Future High Streets Fund £16 million investment in Trowbridge.

However, concerns have been raised about what will happen to the people who use the Town Hall.

Alan Wright Director of Trowbridge Town Hall said: “There are several people who mostly pursue artistic practice here and our hirers who hire out space for yoga classes, toddler classes and a rock music programme.

"We’re trying to find alternative accommodation at a similar price, but we can’t guarantee that the new venues will be at the same rate we have been offering.”

Trowbridge Councillor Antonio Piazza said the closure would “really hit the volunteers inside the Town Hall.”

Mr Wright said seven new music recording studios will replace the prison cells currently in the basement under the refurbishment plans.

The scaffolding for exterior renovations on the Town Hall recently came down.

Cllr Piazza was very pleased to see the building back to normal and said: “It looks really nice. It’s absolutely amazing when you walk into the town and see it. People want it to be the heart of Trowbridge.”

Trowbridge Deputy Mayor Stephen Cooper confirmed there would not be any more scaffolding put up.

However, Cllr Piazza has a problem with how much of the High Street Fund is being given over to the Town Hall and added: “The Town Hall has also now asked for more money because of inflation.

"It’s just a lot of money to put into one project. Businesses are closing in the town centre and suffering. The whole town is needing a lot of love.”

During the council meeting it was decided the Town Hall will be let to Trowbridge Town Hall Trust for the next 125 years.

A council report said the building will be completely unusable within the next 5-10 years without the refurbishment.

Wiltshire Council Leader Richard Clewer said: "The refurbishment of Trowbridge Town Hall is central to developing a unique cultural offer in the town, encouraging increased footfall into the town centre and helping to revive Trowbridge's poor evening economy."