OKEHAMPTON Town Council celebrated the completion of the first stage of its town hall and offices' refurbishment programme last week.
At a function for contractors and invited guests, mayor Christine Marsh welcomed people into the 'beautiful old building with a beautiful new reception'.
A revamp of the administrative offices and council chamber, which will later be followed by refurbishment of the Charter Hall and Market Hall, has included new decor in the town colours of blue and yellow and a more accessible and welcoming reception area.
Cllr Marsh said it had been about 20 years since the town council premises had a maintenance programme and it was time for the building to be used to its full potential.
'We want to promote the chamber for conferences and meetings and weddings and the idea of doing the reception was to make it more accessible to everyone, including the disabled,' she said.
'At the moment we are also looking into a lift option.'
The work has all been carried out by local contractors including the builder of the new reception, Stan Cox — who was on familiar ground as he built the previous reception area 36 years ago.
The building and its treasures are being opened to the public on the first Thursday in November.
'We want people to be aware that we are approachable and we will listen to their opinions,' added Cllr Marsh.
'This building and everything in it belongs to the town and I know there are many members of the public who have never been inside it.'