Council Chamber Reopens After Six Months of Refurbishment
Petersfield Town Council is pleased to announce the official reopening of the newly refurbished and extended Council Chamber at the Town Hall, following six months of improvement works.
The refurbishment project has transformed the space into a more modern, accessible, and versatile venue. The Chamber now offers increased capacity for members of the public, enhancing opportunities for community engagement and participation in council proceedings. Additionally, the room is available for public hire, offering an ideal venue for meetings and small events.
The newly renovated Chamber features a wood-effect finish, glass display cabinets, and on-site hot drink facilities for those hiring the space. Accessibility improvements include the installation of a hearing loop system, and future-proofing has been considered with infrastructure in place to support enhanced audio-visual systems. A projector and screen are now available, along with adjustable lighting options to suit various uses of the room.
Official Opening Ceremony – 25th September
The official opening was held on 25th September, attended by former Petersfield Town Mayors, the Chairman of East Hampshire District Council, and the Town Mayors of Whitehill & Bordon and Alton. The newly refurbished chamber has been named the Kenneth Hick Council Chamber, in honour of Kenneth Hick, Petersfield’s first elected Town Mayor following local government reorganisation.
The plaque was proudly unveiled by Jean Hick, Kenneth’s widow, who also worked at the council alongside her father. It was a moving moment to commemorate Kenneth’s legacy and contribution to Petersfield’s civic life.
Town Mayor Councillor Chris Paige welcomed attendees and expressed his gratitude to everyone who contributed to the successful completion of the project. Guests were invited to remain for the first Full Council Meeting held in the new chamber following the ceremony.
Local media coverage was provided by Shine Radio and the Petersfield Post, and interviews from the evening can be heard via Shine Radio [https://shineradio.uk/2025/09/town-council-chamber-reopened-after-major-refurbishment/].
Reflections on the Project
Project Manager Steve Field shared his thoughts on the refurbishment:
“It has been an honour for me to serve the Council in such a way and at such a time, and I am sure that there will be many hours of tough decisions, achievements, and joy made and celebrated in this space.”
Visit the Kenneth Hick Council Chamber
We warmly welcome members of the public to attend Council meetings held in the new chamber and see the improvements for themselves. A full schedule of upcoming meetings can be found on our website.
