THERE’S no going back now over the refurbishment of the Dartmouth Guildhall, town councillors have decided.

An intense programme of works is being drawn up to bring the building up to scratch over the next 18 month.

When completed, it is hoped the project – which could run to £300,000 – will give the town a community facility fit for the 21st century. A new lift and kitchen are being installed and among the planned upgrades are disabled toilets, repairs to the pipework and electrics and improvements to heating.

The town council’s corporate property committee on Tuesday also approved the spending of around £5,500 on 200 new chairs and lighted mirrors for the first floor changing rooms.

Councillors are looking to explore the idea of obtaining a loan towards the project.

Cllr Frances Hawke said: ‘We need to bring the Guildhall back into good shape.’

Cllr Richard Rendle said: ‘Now we’ve started it we need to accelerate it. We have committed ourselves and reached a point of no return.’

The committee agreed a proposal from chairman Cllr Robin Springett that they took a ‘telescopic look’ to the end of the financial year 2016/2017 in planning for the Guildhall and go out and cost it.