Diss Corn Hall moves

An iconic public building in Diss has moved a step closer to becoming owned by a charitable trust under plans for a major refurbishment.Fears were raised earlier this year that the revamp of the historic Corn Hall could be mothballed as a result of the drying up of funding streams.

AN iconic public building in Diss has moved a step closer to becoming owned by a charitable trust under plans for a major refurbishment.

Fears were raised earlier this year that the revamp of the historic Corn Hall could be mothballed as a result of the drying up of funding streams.

But the multi-million-pound proposals to transform the 19th century building in St Nicholas Street into a modern theatre, concert hall, cinema and community venue have received a boost with the news that the Friends of Diss Corn Hall group could be formed by the summer.

Sue Reeves, Corn Hall project co-ordinator, said she had received a "brilliant" response from dozens of townsfolk about the formation of the charitable trust that could help unlock a number of funding avenues, which were currently inaccessible for Diss Town Council.

More than 50 people, including South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon, attended a meeting on Friday to lend their backing to the idea of the friends group.

Mrs Reeves, whose contract with the town council has been extended until October, said: "Once we have the friends group set up, we can go for charitable grants."

Mrs Reeves added that she hoped to stage a public meeting about the formation of the Friends of Diss Corn Hall at a meeting in June.