Address: The Town Hall, 35 High Street, Thornbury BS35 2AR
Tel: 01454 412103 (Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-4.30pm)
Email:
Website: www.thornburytowncouncil.gov.uk
Photographs on this page are kindly supplied by RichMcD Photography.
At its Full Council meeting on Tuesday 10th March, the Council unanimously supported the submission of the Expression of Interest to the UK Town of Culture 2028 competition, marking an important step in showcasing the area’s cultural strengths and ambitions.
Councillors agreed to proceed with the bid following discussion of the draft bid prepared by the appointed working group. The bid was developed following a meeting with a range of organisations from across the town. Due to the competitive nature of the Town of Culture process, the details of the bid will remain confidential at this stage. The Expression of Interest will now be submitted as the first stage of the competitive selection process.
The deadline for Expressions of Interest is 31 March 2026, with a shortlist of towns expected to be announced in Spring 2026. Shortlisted places will then be invited to develop full proposals, with the final UK Town of Culture 2028 winner due to be announced in early 2027.
If successful in progressing to the next stage, the Council will work closely with local organisations, community groups and partners to develop a full bid that reflects the creativity and diversity of the area.
The Town Mayor said: "Thornbury is such a great place. I am very excited that we have reached this important stage- and thanks to everyone who has contributed, and who I have spoken to in the past few weeks. There are so many ideas and goodwill that, whatever happens, we will work hard to move forward and deliver a great future for Thornbury."
Further updates on the progress of the bid will be shared in due course.
The Town Council is responsible for running Thornbury, and it's your first point of call if you want to find out more about where you live or how the town operates.
The Town Hall is easy to find, right on the High Street in a Grade 2 listed former police station and you're welcome to drop in any time.
It houses the Council chamber, offices and community facilities.
The building is also home to the Town Council's Tourist Information Centre, South Gloucestershire Citizen's Advice Bureau, Thornbury and District Volunteer Link, and Thornbury Pensioners' Drop in Centre.
A Full Council meeting takes place every few weeks. Under normal circumstances meetings are held at 7.30pm at the Town Hall and Councillors must attend if they're able. Currently meetings are being held via Zoom.
Members of the public can attend any of the Council and Committee meetings. (The committee meetings vary in start times). There's an opportunity at each meeting for any of us to speak or ask questions on any relevant topic.
The Council has 16 members, each elected for four years. The town is divided into five wards: one of which has four councillors and the others 3. The Chairman of the Council, who is also Town Mayor, is elected by members each May.
Councillors serve on six committees: Outdoor Spaces, Planning and Town Development, Finance & Policy, Staffing, Buildings sub committee and Youth sub committee. Each of these submits reports and recommendations to full Council.
Some councillors are also representatives on outside bodies and attend their meetings too.
Click here to view the meeting schedule.
Known locally as the Thornbury Town Trust, this is a Registered Charity with seven trustees, three nominated by the Council. It helps organisations, groups and individuals in Thornbury.
The Trust owns property and land around Thornbury. It runs four almshouses and over 80 allotments on Daggs Field. If you would like to know more about the allotments, click here.
To contact the Trust, visit www.thornburytowntrust.uk.
You can hire the Council Chamber and its kitchenette for meetings or conferences. There is also an excellent exhibition/meeting room.
The Town Hall is fully accessible with a ramp on Silver Street and a lift to the first floor. Please contact the office staff for more details.
Thornbury has its own civic regalia, worn on appropriate occasions. The silver gilt Town Mace is carried by the longest-serving Councillor and is a replica of the solid silver original, which is in the Bristol Museum.
The Mayoral chain was created in silver by local craftsman John Pinch in 1974. The Mayor's escort and the Deputy Mayor also wear chains, and the Mayor and Lady Mayor wear robes and corned hats.
Participating businesses in the Town Council’s Community Toilet Scheme are Hawkes House, The Swan, Foxhills Café and Gifts and The Royal George.
Each business displays a ‘loo sticker’, to show that members of the public can use the toilet facilities in these businesses without charge.
