City's guildhall in £3.2m revamp

Winchester Guildhall is used for events including weddings and conferences

A £3.2m scheme to renovate and restore Winchester Guildhall in Hampshire has been agreed by the city council.

Part of the funding for the revamp, which will include a street-side cafe, was left by the late Marchioness of Winchester, Bapsybanoo Parvey.

The guildhall, which was built in 1871 in a Gothic style, caters for events such as conferences and weddings.

Work will begin in January, with the project due to be completed by the end of November 2010.

Indian-born Ms Parvey, who died in 1995, also donated a full-size portrait of herself which will hang in the building.

The work will include improved access, lifts to all floors, refurbished staircases, new carpets, doors and lighting and improved energy efficiency.

There will also be new display areas for items from the city's art and museums collections.

The building will remain open throughout most of the work.