Tavistock’s Butchers Hall – Undergoing Restoration

Work is progressing well on the repair and restoration of the Grade II  listed Butchers' Hall, adjacent to the Pannier Market in the centre of Tavistock. 

The contractors, A D Williams, are currently putting the finishing touches to the restored roof - carefully reinstating as many of the original timber beams and sarking boards as possible.  The distinctive lantern window that runs along the length of the building has been fully repaired, together with dozens of small repairs to the existing windows.

Samples of the original deep green paint have been taken from the cast iron gutters and the colour has been carefully matched with a modern alternative that will be used on rainwater goods, louvres, windows and doors throughout the building.  Similarly, samples of the lime mortar used have been sent to the Cornish Lime Company for laboratory analysis so that an exact match can be made, such is the attention to detail in the restoration work.

Work is due for completion in November 2016.

The restoration work has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Greater Dartmoor LEAF and Tavistock Town Council and is the first in a series of buildings ear-marked for repair as part of the Tavistock Townscape Heritage initiative (THI).  More information is available at www.tavistockthi.org.uk or by contacting the THI Project Manager, Martin Searle on 01822 616134.