A £24,000 project to repair rotting floorboards at a community hall has revealed an underground cellar beneath a car park was on the verge of collapse.
Cound Guildhall has been closed for the past 18 months, but will reopen in the next few weeks following the end of major works.
But when work began in October to replace the floor it was discovered the building’s cellars extended out underneath the car park – meaning vehicles parked above could fall through at any moment. Now work has been carried to make the car park safe.
It is thought the cellars date back to the 1700s and could have belonged to the parsonage which was built there in 1790. The building was demolished in 1882 and the Guildhall built on top. In 1922 the hall was given to the parish council by Alexander McCorquodale, of Cound Hall.
The trustees of the village hall spent around six years seeking funding and secured £19,000.
The hall now has a new floor with underground heating and a meeting is to be held to discuss further projects, including the roof and toilets. Tim Roberts, chairman of Cound Guildhall trustees, said: “When we got the floor off we discovered the cellar went under the car park and vehicles were unsafe. There is a large room underneath and we could see it was unsafe and could collapse at any time.
“I want to say thank you from the trustees to the community for all their support.”
Trustees have also been awarded a grant to install equipment to run Flicks in the Sticks performances. The first event at the hall will be on January 23 with the showing of Mamma Mia! at 7.30pm. For tickets call 01743 761451.