The refurbishment and extension of the Grade 2 Listed Diss Corn Hall is the jewel in the crown of the wider Heritage Triangle Regeneration Project.
Previously, the presence of the Corn Hall within the streetscape was poor, with no sense of public accessibility. Although grand, the front elevation was uninviting, with the external railings and large closed doors creating a strong barrier to the public. There was no clear indication of an entrance from St Nicholas Street and because of this the Corn Hall was disconnected from the street and from the community.
The condition of the historic building fabric was poor and affected the structural integrity. Many of the original features within the Corn Hall had not been maintained or had been covered up. The heating, lighting and ventilation systems were out of date and inefficient, creating high running costs.
Located in the centre of an historic market town, the project had a large number of stakeholders including funders, neighbours, trusts, local shops and businesses and authorities (amongst others). Delivering a project brief that respected and addressed different opinions, whilst considering adjoining buildings and the wider historic regeneration was not easy but the results are clear.
Our project has transformed the Corn Hall into a multi-purpose arts, education and community centre, in order that it is recognised as one of East Anglia’s most important cultural venues.
