After more than a year of refurbishment work a date has been set for the reopening of a town's corn hall.

Eastern Daily Press: Artist impression of the new look Diss Corn Hall. Picture: Diss Corn Hall.Artist impression of the new look Diss Corn Hall. Picture: Diss Corn Hall. (Image: Archant)

Diss Corn Hall will reopen its doors for the first time for performances at the beginning of May.

Contractors were handed the keys to Diss Corn Hall in January last year and work began to expand and modernise the popular building - which has been an entertainment venue since 1854.

The refurbishment is the first part of the £3.2 million Heritage Triangle project to be completed in the town and will include the creating of a community garden by the town council's offices and a boardwalk which will run across the Mere.

Glynne Lloyd-Davis, chairman of the Diss Corn Hall Trust, said: 'It has been an extremely complex project with a building which only revealed its eccentricities when we started to work on it, but great credit is due to our staff and volunteers who have kept the Corn Hall running its vibrant Tour, while waiting for the Hall to reopen.

'We are delighted that work is now in the final stages and that from May, the residents of Diss and the surrounding villages will again be able to enjoy the rich variety of performances at the Corn Hall.'

The new extension will enable a wider range of activities to be held in the hall during the day and evening and a new cafe and bar will be open daily. The Heritage Triangle Project has been funded from grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund, South Norfolk Council, Diss Town Council and a major contribution from the people and businesses of Diss.

The next phase of the project was unveiled by Norfolk County Council last week, who are helping fund the development of the streetscape in the triangle.