Chippenham town centre rings the changes (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Chippenham town centre rings the changes

12:30pm Friday 17th February 2012 in Chippenham By Alex Winter

Chippenham's Tourist Information Centre has moved further into the High Street while the popular museum and heritage centre expands outwards.

The town council has moved the TIC into the formerly vacant unit sitting next to the town hall, which was once occupied by Food To Go.

The historic Yelde Hall is now set to be transformed into a gallery, managed and filled by the museum just moments away.

Town clerk Sue Wilthew said it is hoped the change will bring a new shape to the structure of the town centre. A vehicle that was restored by the Chippenham Civic Society and was being kept at the Atwell Wilson Motor Museum will be returned to the hall.

“It is part of some very exciting changes going on in our town centre,” she said.

“We are going to bring back the fire engine that was once in the museum to act as the centrepiece. It used to be in the Yelde Hall when it was the town’s fire station. We are also excited about bringing new life to the building itself. It is a fantastic piece of architecture in its own right. We will be able to house much larger pieces of the collection at the museum in it.”

Employees at the TIC have moved into their new premises, while the Yelde Hall is being transformed into the gallery.

Mrs Wilthew said: “We are opening up the town more for residents and visitors by making these changes. The museum is going to undergo some changes later this year itself, with a bit of a revamp of the way it looks, and we also have plans to change the look of the Neeld Hall, although these things are still in the early stages.”

The council emphasised that it will be firmly sticking to its budget to make the changes.

Museum curator Melissa Barnett said: “It is very important that we make the Yelde Hall come to life if we are granted permission. The priority is that it never stands empty in the town.”