Pagham hall set for a face-lift over summer

Parish councillors have agreed to finance the work on a 50-seater meeting room.

They will pay up to £150,000 for the extension to the popular building on Pagham Road.

Parish council clerk Chris Braby said the extra space was much-needed. “I’m confident the room will be filled from the start.

“There is a queue of customers waiting for it because there is a huge demand for this hall.

“The man who does the bookings for the hall tells me he can’t wait for the new room to be finished. He says he will easily fill it up.

“The room will be ideal for those who don’t want to hire the main hall.”

The parish council will seek new tenders from builders to replace the existing ones from 18 months ago.

It is expected work will begin this June and be completed for next winter.

Planning permission has been given for the new room. It will be financed by the parish council on a 15-year loan.

The first two years will see the hall’s trustees help with the costs.

The hall was opened in September 1998, several decades after the idea was raised.