PLANS to restore the 'focal point' of a Cotswold town are underway to make a building the best it can be. 

The Redesdale Hall, a listed building in the centre of Moreton, now has netting on its roof as part of stage one of its restoration with the potential for the scaffolding around the building to be removed as early as Friday (July 26). 

Planning permission for stage two, which includes the disassembly and reassembly of the clocktower has been approved by Cotswold District Council.

However, the trust that has ownership of the building, The Redesdale Hall Trust, is eagerly awaiting for the approval of a grant before any further work can continue. 

The building is really important for the town and the trust is keen for work to get underway as "the building is for the community". 

Sue Berry, The Redesdale Hall Trust treasurer, said: "The scaffolding is scheduled to come down next Friday (July 26). 

"The scaffolding was there for safety reasons while a temporary netting was applied to the roof, which I guess you could call stage one of the restoration plans. 

"The next phase will be to restore the roof and clocktower but that is all subject to grant approval which we are hoping for later this month."

The Redesdale Hall Trust gained ownership of the building from Moreton Town Council in May. 

Mrs Berry continued: "The building hasn't really had any substantial repairs for the past 40 years, the tiles on the roof are over 100 years old and need to be replaced.

"The Redesdale Hall is a community hub and the only village hall in Moreton, it's the heart of the town and enhances our tourist offer. 

"We gathered the communities views in January and we are currently working with architects to draw up plans to improve the building for the next 200 years. 

"We know there's a lot of things that need to be improved and we are hoping to do as many as possible."

The Redesdale Hall was first built in 1887 and was voted the best-loved building in Moreton in 2019.