The regeneration of the Diss Corn Hall has moved a step forward after plans went on display outlining the future renovation of the listed building.The 19th century entertainments venue has already seen a number of changes over the last few months, including the introduction of new acoustic panels and a fresh lick of paint.

THE regeneration of the Diss Corn Hall has moved a step forward after plans went on display outlining the future renovation of the listed building.

The 19th century entertainments venue has already seen a number of changes over the last few months, including the introduction of new acoustic panels and a fresh lick of paint.

Now concept drawings have gone on show as part of a public consultation on the refurbishment of the building, in St Nicholas Street, which is set to cost around �2m.

The designs by Cowper Griffith Architects are on display in the Old Stables box office beside the Corn Hall and include proposals for a new entrance, new exhibition space, a hall caf� and kitchen and a suite of rooms that can be used for conferences, meetings and celebrations.

It comes as work will start at the end of this month to install new disabled access toilets. The venue will remain open during the 15 week works.

Bids are currently being drawn up for the funding of the Corn Hall improvements and a planning application is set to be submitted to South Norfolk Council towards the end of the year following feedback from local people.

All public responses will be assessed by Diss Town Council, Corn Hall Trust, and the architects and will help form more detailed proposals.

Manager Angela Sykes added that she wanted to get more young people involved in the project.

'That's one of the things we are really working on at the moment is to get more young people involved in programming, helping in the box office and marketing. That means they can develop a programme that's what they want to see here. And I think it's a great experience for them, especially at the moment when a lot of young people who have just finished university are finding it quite difficult to get jobs. There's lots of valuable experience you can get from being involved with a project like this,' she said.

The Diss Corn Hall plans will also be presented by the architect as part of a Heritage Open Day event at 12.30pm on September 10, followed by the Corn Hall Trust annual meeting at 1.30pm.

For more information, visit www.disscornhall.co.uk or phone 01379 652241.