Stourport Civic Centre

Stourport Civic Centre stands in New Street, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire. The town grew quickly in the 19th century after gaining market status, and the building began as a single-storey market hall built in 1833. In 1863 a local board of health decided to add a first floor in ashlar stone, giving it an Italianate design with Doric columns and round-headed windows. By 1894 the building served as the town hall for the new Urban District Council, but by the early 1960s it had fallen into disrepair and collapsed in 1973. A new civic centre opened in May 1966 on open land southwest of the town, designed by Andrews and Hazzard in brick with concrete trim. It housed a public assembly hall, council chamber and municipal offices, becoming a lively venue for concerts and broadcasts. The civic centre is worth the journey for its links to notable performers and broadcasters. Slade, then called the N’Betweens, played there in December 1967, and Noel Edmonds hosted Radio 1 Breakfast from the hall in May 1971. Robert Plant appeared in December 1986, drawing audiences from across the region. The building also served as council offices until 2011, when the council moved to Wyre Forest House. Instead of selling the site, ownership passed to a community group that continues to run it as a public events venue. Visitors find a modern brick building with concrete trim and bands of windows. The central office range sits between the assembly hall on the west side and the former circular council chamber on the east. The foyer and facilities in the assembly hall were refurbished in 2014, keeping the space ready for performances and gatherings. Its location on New Street places it at the heart of the town, close to shops and the river. The building remains a lively place where local people meet and enjoy events.