The work is being done on the Grade II listed building on Market Hill to bring it up to scratch with requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).

Planning permission has been granted for the five-month renovation to start this month, which will include moving the council offices to the ground floor, the installation of a lift and disabled-friendly toilets.
At the same time the old-fashioned heating and telephone systems will be modernised.

The Town Crier previously reported on the town council's decision to take extra funds from the Norris Museum and town cemetery budgets to pay for the renovations, after funding fell short to bring the building up to its legal requirements.

A spokeswoman for St Ives Town Council said: "When the work tenders came in over budget, councillors ordered a review of the project which was the subject of lengthy debate at a meeting of the Town Hall and Corn Exchange Management Committee.

"The possibility of adopting a less extensive scheme and moving some of the town council's activities to the Corn Exchange was carefully considered.

"The consensus view was that extensive refurbishment of the town hall was an investment in one of the council's most valuable assets, ensuring that the building is accessible to the public and attractive to tenants.

"By keeping all of the town council's activities within the town hall, the fullest use can be made of the Corn Exchange for community purposes."

St Ives Town Mayor Cllr Ian Dobson said: "We need to do these works to meet our legal duties as a council and as a landlord.

"Some people are concerned that this work takes money away from the Corn Exchange. I can assure them the new town council is fully committed to the Corn Exchange and a clear set of options will be put before councillors at the July meeting."