Planning Permission for Revived City Hall Frontage and Cafe Approved

Planning permission has been granted to provide a new face and dedicated bar/café to Salisbury City Hall, marking an important step in the ongoing revival of the venue and its contribution to the city.

Working as design consultants, Scrace Architects supported the owner’s vision by helping shape the proposals, the change of use, and the new bi-fold doors, “providing active frontage to Fisherton Street”, a key aim of the project.

The move to establish the Fisherton Street side of the City Hall takes advantage of the street’s high pedestrian activity and its direct link to Salisbury Railway Station. The redesigned frontage is intended to make City Hall easier to navigate while giving it a stronger presence within the city’s commercial and cultural flow. The addition of a new bar and café will introduce a lively street-level space for audiences, visitors and those passing by.

Since reopening, around half of all ticket sales of the venue have come from people travelling in from outside Salisbury. Justin Britchford, owner of the City Hall, said the new plans build on that trajectory: “We’re already welcoming large numbers of people from outside the city, and these improvements will help us build on that. The café space and overall improvements will make City Hall easier to find and more inviting for visitors, which in turn gives a real boost to the city and the businesses around it.”

Scrace Architects has helped refine the vision for City Hall’s renewed identity while respecting the building’s Art Deco character. Tim Scrace, Scrace Architects, said the project focused on reconnecting the building with the life of the street. “Our aim has been to support the City Hall team in bringing new life to this well-loved venue while retaining the character people recognise.”

Together, new lighting, signage and a view through will draw attention to the rejuvenation of this space, helping the City Hall build on its cultural heritage within the city, supporting footfall, activity and the wider vibrancy of Salisbury.

Scrace Architects is a design-led studio rooted in art, architecture and community, known for revitalising existing buildings with a quiet sensitivity that honours both place and purpose. The practice works across cultural, civic and commercial settings to shape welcoming, flexible and connected spaces, enriching the way people experience their environment.