Multi-million pound civic centre officially opened

A new civic centre has been officially opened in the garrison town of Tidworth in Wiltshire.

The building has been designed as a multi-use community hub with a community police office at the rear of the building.

The project, funded by Tidworth Town Council and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, was delivered under the predicted budget of £7.3m.

The centre has been open to the public since January.

The building centres around a cafe with open-plan seating and 180-degree views of the town.

Interior details have been carefully considered to match the colours of Tidworth's Coat of Arms.

The rest of the building includes a large multi-functional hall, a number of smaller meeting rooms of different sizes and a main hall, which can be divided into two.

The Office of the PCC funded 30% of the cost of the building in exchange for the community police hub to the rear of the centre remaining rent free for 30 years.

LISTEN: BBC Radio Wiltshire feature on the civic centre opening

Mayor of Tidworth, Carole Webb, was among the guests

Mayor of Tidworth, Carole Webb, said: "Our old community building was a temporary building and it was really past its sell-by date.

"So this [civic centre] has been a long time in the making, at least 10 years.

"We have been open to the public since the 29th January, and we have bookings every day from a diversity of groups."

Wiltshire and Swindon PCC Philip Wilkinson attended the ceremony

PCC Philip Wilkinson was present at the start of the build 13 months ago, and returned for the official opening.

He said it was important to have a modern police station "so close to the community".

"We are now deeply embedded here on the east side of the county," he added.

Warrant Officer Class 1, Sgt Maj Jamie Clarke, represented the military at the ceremony

As a large garrison town, the civic centre also serves the town's military population.

Garrison Sergeant Major for Tidworth, Bulford and Netheravon, Warrant Officer Class 1, Jamie Clarke said: "I attend all of the council meetings here at the hub.

"Looking around all the rooms they've got here, the solders are using the cafe - enjoying the facilities.

"We've always had a special link with the Tidworth Town Council as a military. Long may it continue."

The honour of unveiling of the official plaque was given to the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Sarah Troughton, who said: "I'm stunned by the beauty of this building. It's big and incredibly modern.

"I really wish Tidworth Town Council all the best and congratulate them for producing it."