WATCHET residents will have the chance to show their support for a project that will give an historic building a new lease of life and provide a purpose-built base for the town council.

A two-day public consultation will get underway on Tuesday (October 20) to unveil plans for the council’s new offices in the revamped and extended boat museum.

Councillors will be on hand at the council’s current headquarters in Swain Street to answer questions, along with representatives of the not-for-profit social enterprise regeneration group the Onion Collective who will provide information about the wider scheme.

The £365,000 project, which has already won planning approval, will also include a new visitor centre and enhanced museum space, as well as new accommodation for local business Cliff’s Cabs.

The council agreed earlier this year to invest up to £60,000 to buy space in the building, which in addition to providing dedicated offices would also contribute to the shared community space where councillors will hold their meetings.

The move would be funded by taking £30,000 from the authority’s reserves, with the shortfall hopefully being met by a loan from the Public Works Loan Board.

The consultation, which will run on both Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am to noon and from 6pm to 8pm, will hope to win local backing for the loan application.

Watchet Mayor Cllr Peter Murphy said: “The town council is very enthusiastic about being part of such an exciting project and will be interested to hear residents’ views on the planned relocation of its offices to the new building.”

Feedback forms will be available on both days.

Councillors agreed this week to spend up to £5,000 to instruct solicitors to prepare an initial ‘heads of terms’ legal agreement for the proposed move and secure an independent valuation of the building.

The consultation will provide answers for the reasons behind the hoped-for relocation, including the need to secure improved facilities for staff and a base with full disabled access, as well as saving around £1,000 a year on annual running costs.

The existing Swain Street offices and chamber need a minimum of £80,000 of restoration and repair work.

Onion Collective director Naomi Griffith said the project offered a terrific opportunity to work together and improve facilities and services for Watchet.

“This is a very exciting time,” she said. “We are looking forward to hearing people’s views on the project and to answering any questions they may have.”