The funding means that the exciting plan to restore and convert the Hall into an aparthotel, and restore the County Council registry office to its previous home, can now take place.

The building, which is loved by residents countywide because of the role it has played in births and marriages, will now be revitalised to support the local economy. During the redevelopment, there will be chances for people to learn about heritage skills, gain employment and take up training opportunities.

The Georgian Grade II hall has been owned by the Council since 1923 and, until recently, housed the Nottinghamshire County Council’s registrar’s office. Notts County Council will return in 2017 when the redevelopment has been completed.

Cllr Simon Robinson, Portfolio Holder for Resources, said: “This is great for the local community and wider Nottingham. This historic building will provide jobs and a prestigious aparthotel to complement the great leisure provision in West Bridgford and Nottingham. People will be able to get married and then stay overnight in the Hall. This is a great boost to borough business.” 

HLF’s Heritage Enterprise programme helps when the cost of repairing an historic building is so high that restoration is not economically viable. Grants fund the vital repairs and conservation work needed to convert derelict, vacant buildings into new, usable commercial spaces. 

Vanessa Harbar, Head of HLF, East Midlands, said: “A focal point of the local area, Bridgford Hall is well known to many in Nottingham as the site where life’s most significant moments were registered. With this Heritage Enterprise grant, HLF is stepping in to address the high cost of restoring the Hall in order to give it a future sustainable use. We’re pleased to see this partnership between the local community and private enterprise which will both restore the registry office and create an aparthotel, providing jobs and boosting economic development.”