Slough Town Hall could become new school

The original building was built in 1937, a year before Slough became a town

A Berkshire town hall could be turned into a school to help with a shortage.

Council chiefs will meet later to discuss proposals to redevelop Slough town hall, parts of which date back to 1937.

A £1.5m refurbishment would create places for 420 children for up to seven years and would be cheaper than a new building.

The original building, off Bath Road, was built in 1937, a year before Slough officially became a town.

Parts of it built in the 1970s, which housed office workers, are due to be demolished after becoming dilapidated.

Community use

If councillors agree to plans, the new school will form an annexe to an existing school, with the council deciding next year which school would become the partner.

Clair Pyper, director of education and children's services, said the building would work well as a school.

"I think there are a lot of buildings that are purpose built as schools and that's a good solution, but when you are short of land and short of buildings... it's one of the options we need to look at," she said.

"With some good, imaginative conversion I think it could make a really good school for our growing population."

The hall was turned down in its bid to become a Grade II-listed building in February, after it was not deemed to be of "sufficient architectural or historic interest".

A petition of 1,200 signatures was handed to Downing Street by the Campaign to Save Slough's Heritage.

It called for the building to be listed and to be put into community use for future generations to enjoy.