WORK on remodelling Bridport’s Town Hall has uncovered a wealth of structural defects.

However, getting them fixed will ensure the building, built in 1786, is fit for the next 200 years, said town clerk Bob Gillis.

Reporting to the finance and general purposes committee town surveyor, Daryl Chambers said: “There is not much that we haven’t covered. From walls having no footings, finding the original town well, you name it we found it.

“There’s snapped beams and fireplaces falling through the floor.”

He said it was hoped all the necessary structural work would be finished by the end of the week and from then on it should be ‘plain sailing’.

Coun Julian May also said at the meeting that there were concerns from about the impact of the work on shops.

He said: "One of the business owners is really concerned how it is affecting his business.

“He says the smell form the toilets is not conducive to selling his baguettes and customers are by-passing the alley because the scaffolding is making it so narrow.

“He is asking for temporary signs where the scaffolding is so they can continue to survive."

Town clerk Bob Gillis said he agreed with some points and recognised there were concerns. He agreed to put signs up but said there was still a clear route through.

He said: “We have done all we can to keep Bucky Doo Square open.”

They will try to bring the size of the compound in as much as possible he said.

Daryl Chambers said the toilets were cleaned on a daily basis and were spotless.

Mr Gillis said councillors would get a chance to see the work for themselves at a meeting of the Bucky Doo working party on June 28.

He said: “The work has progressed over the last two weeks and most of the structural works are done.

“The floor has been taken up to level access and it does look impressive to see the space that will be available on the ground floor.

“There is still a lot of work to do on the first floor but hopefully we will be on target to finish in good time.”

Representatives of the Heritage Lottery Fund are coming to inspect progress on July 5.

Negotiations are ongoing with the Tourist Information Centre and West Dorset District Council to finalise the terms of a lease – which must be signed by the end of August – for TIC use of the new space.

Rent will be £5,000 a year and Bridport Town Council will pay £10,000 for TIC services. Mr Gillis added that a planning application for new toilets in South Street went in two weeks ago.

He said: “It is very important we get a favourable outcome.”

Talks with English Heritage failed to secure any agreement on putting in an external fully-accessible toilet on the side of the building.

Mr Gillis confirmed there would be public access to first-floor toilets for anyone using the town hall.

He said the town hall would be open in much the same way as a museum, with people free to come in and look at the paintings and use the facilities.