The National Lottery Heritage Fund have granted Minchinhampton Market House £10,000 for restoration and refurbishment.

The Market House Management Committee will put the money towards improving the Undercroft by levelling the paving, replacing damaged flagstones, improving access and providing more lighting and power.

Trustee Tim Mowat said: “The Market House hosts a weekly market on every Wednesday morning. The £10,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund will enable us to make this market, and all other events held in the undercroft, more welcoming than hitherto.”

The full restoration proposal will cost a total of £100,000, half of which trustees still need to raise.

The first task will be an archaeological exploration in July, towards which trustees were granted £2,500 by the Leche trust.

Restoration works will begin in August, using the National Lottery Heritage Fund grant, £5,000 donated by well-wishers, and a development appeal fund which contains about £35,000.

Trustees are looking to raise £50,000 by October for the project, which was supported by 95 per cent of respondents in December survey.

While they await decisions from several grant schemes, the Market House trustees are asking for donations from the public or ideas for other sources of grants, which you can help with by contacting Tim Mowat on 01453 883369 or at timmowat@gmail.com.

Last year, residents and visitors gave more than £15,000 to refurbish the building, which resulted in new guttering and repairs to the roof, coving and windows.

Inside the Hall, the entrance hall and stairs were refurbished, the floor was stripped and re-polished and Wi-fi was made available.