Town to celebrate completion of £1m project

The project has been funded by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority

Celebrations are planned to mark the completion of a £1m project in a market town.

Chatteris Town Council has opened a new museum for the town, refurbished its council chambers and provided five community rooms.

The project has been funded by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and its completion will be celebrated in an event on Friday.

Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: "This project is a shining example of how targeted investment can breathe new life into our communities."

Before it was a museum, the building was a Barclays Bank

The town council has converted the former Barclays Bank on Park Street into a museum and community room with commercial offices above.

The former museum building shut in 2021 and it started moving its collections in 2023 after outgrowing the premises.

The council was then able to move into the building and expand its chambers and offices while extending part of the first floor into residential flats.

It said rental income from the flats would go towards community events including the Christmas Lights, In Bloom, youth services, the Pocket Park and Citizens Advice Bureau.

Johnson said: "By transforming a disused building into a vibrant hub for culture, services, and community engagement, we're not only preserving the heritage of Chatteris but also ensuring its future as a thriving town centre.

"The new museum, expanded council facilities, and accessible community rooms will serve as invaluable assets for residents and visitors alike."