AMBITIOUS plans to restore the historic Brunner Guildhall have taken a big step forward.

Winsford Town Council has appointed a lead architect and quantity surveyor to support the project.

Locally based firms architects Donald Insalls Associates and quantity surveyors Cavendish Bloor will now be commissioned to carry out specialist work.

Earlier this year, the town council received a grant of £47,500 from the Architectural Heritage Fund to appoint relevant professionals to move the project forward.

Both the architect and quantity surveyor will be funded using this grant, which is being matched by £27,500 from the council.

The cash will be used to develop the project to a stage where a design for the building’s refurbishment can be produced, ahead of a grant application to the National Heritage Lottery Fund.

Town clerk Mark Bailey said: "We are delighted to announce the appointments of Insalls and Cavendish Bloor. Both companies have an outstanding track record in working on similar projects and both bring valuable experience to our own project here in Winsford.

“We want the best outcome for our wonderful Guildhall building and we feel we have got it here.”

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Northwich Guardian:

Sir Hugo Brunner, Sir John Brunner's grandson, town clerk Mark Bailey and former mayor Cllr Ailsa-Gaskill celebrating the 100th anniversary of Sir John Brunner's death at the Brunner Guildhall

The next steps in the project will be to draw up designs for the building and to work on the overall costs of any refurbishment work.

The Guildhall was built in 1899, funded by famous industrialist and MP Sir John Brunner and since then has been used for a range of activities and organisations.

Mr Bailey said: "Our plan remains the same, to allow the people of Winsford to make use of the building but for that building to be in the best condition so that everyone can enjoy this superb example of late Victorian architecture."

Further work will now be undertaken in developing the project and updates will be provided by the town council.