Town leaders have hailed the reopening of a Victorian building in Brandon following a major refurbishment.Brandon Town Council came under criticism from some residents after deciding to spend more than £250,000 on bringing its headquarters into the 21st century.

Town leaders have hailed the reopening of a Victorian building in Brandon following a major refurbishment.

Brandon Town Council came under criticism from some residents after deciding to spend more than £250,000 on bringing its headquarters into the 21st century.

But town councillors had their first meeting in the council chamber at the Old School House, in Market Hill, for the first time in ten years this week following the six month renovation project.

The work has seen major alterations to the interior of the two-storey 19th century building and the installation of a lift and new staircases to make it compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act.

The town council previously had to hold its meetings at the community centre and nearby primary school because its headquarters were not disabled friendly.

Reg Silvester, Brandon Town Council chairman, said the refurbishment had put the grade II listed building right for the next 20 to 25 years.

“We are very proud of what we have created for the cost of £260,000. Apart from a few minor mishaps, the project has been brought in on budget.”

“We had a cellar that we could have grown mushrooms in and you cannot leave damp in a building like this. The roof required repairs and the windows were rotten. It would have fallen into a state of disrepair in the not too distant future,” he said.

Christine Mason, town clerk, added that the council was also looking to hire out its new-look chamber to other organisations in Suffolk.