CONSTRUCTION of a new public space to rejuvenate Midsomer Norton town centre and provide space for community events will begin next month.

The £2.39m Market Square scheme will create a flexible 1,000m2 public space for everyday use outside the Town Hall and the space will become a venue for outdoor events of all sizes, positioning Midsomer Norton as a market town once more.

The project complements the ongoing restoration of Midsomer Norton’s Town Hall, making it possible for a combination of indoor and outdoor events to be held in the town.

The works will also improve pedestrian access, make it safer for vehicles entering and exiting The Island and provide new road surfacing. Ten car parking spaces including two disabled parking bays that comply with modern standards are part of the scheme.

The Market Square is part of the £3.7m Midsomer Norton High Street Regeneration Programme, which follows on from the successful High Street Heritage Action Zone which comes to an end this spring. It celebrates the history of the town, to attract residents and visitors to the high street and support economic growth.

The programme also includes £1m grant funding towards the Town Hall transformation project and a £115k shopfront improvement scheme to improve eight shopfronts, five of which have already been completed through the HSHAZ including Somer Printing, Fox & Kit and Canine Class.

The scheme is being carried out by Bath & North East Somerset Council, with funding and support provided by Historic England, the West of England Combined Authority through its ‘Love Our High Streets’ grant programme and Midsomer Norton Town Council.

The Market Square works will start at the beginning of April and are expected to be completed by early 2025.

The bus stop serving the Island will be removed on March 18 ahead of the works and a temporary stop used on Silver Street.

The compound for the building site during the construction will be South Road car park and the compound will occupy up to 39 car parking spaces, however it is not anticipated that this will prevent people from parking at South Road car park due to its large capacity.

The programme of works can be viewed at yourmidsomernorton.co.uk and updates will be added to the website as the works progress.

The community will be consulted on proposed events in the Market Square before any events are held.

Residents and businesses in and around The Island have been notified in advance about the start of the works.