Thornbury residents have formed an action group to save Armstrong Hall from closure. The Armstrong Hall Action Alliance aims to work with the council to restore the venue after it was closed by the trustees rust in March due to the financial impacts of Covid-19. The Thornbury Musical Theatre Group, the Northavon Youth Theatre Company and Groups involved in the Thornbury Arts Festival are among the many who depend on hall. “Thornbury is well-known for its thriving arts organisations and active community, something that is going to be needed more than ever as we rebuild from the challenges of the last 18 months,” said the AHAA in a statement.
The redevelopment of Thornbury s Armstrong Hall could be scrapped with the facilities instead moved to Turnberries Community Centre. A £5million redevelopment project was given the green light in 2018, but the financial impact of Covid-19 has reduced the likelihood of raising the necessary funds. Numerous fundraising concerts have been held in recent years, but in June it was announced the hall would remain closed for the foreseeable future , with five jobs lost as a result. The move to Turnberries had originally been rejected in favour of rebuilding the hall on its current site, but is now seen as the best way to safeguard the facility.