Corn Hall in need of repair (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Corn Hall in need of repair

CIRENCESTER'S Corn Hall should be sold off to prevent it burning a hole in council pockets.

That's the view of some councillors, who say they are reluctant to pay for maintenance and upgrading the historic Market Place building.

The comments were made at a meeting of Cotswold District Council's community meeting last week, when members were told that up to £235,000 was needed to bring the Corn Hall up to scratch.

This includes much-needed maintenance to the entry corridor roof, refurbishment of the facility's toilets and work on the cellar ceiling.

Cllr Peter Martin said: "I'm becoming increasingly alarmed at the Corn Hall as an idea - it seems to be a black hole for money.

"It's an old building. Is there an exit strategy for CDC from the Corn Hall?" While Cllr Raymond Theodoulou added: "I think it makes for very uncomfortable reading."

The Corn Hall was due to undergo a major revamp, which would have included a cinema.

But, although project partners Mainline Pictures were keen to press ahead with the project, an answer over whether the scheme had secured Lottery funding was delayed.

In response, the council's ruling Tory group decided it wasn't a priority, put the project on the backburner and withdrew funds already allocated by CDC.

The report, presented to the community committee, said that up to £100,000 could be spent on building a new corridor roof, as the current one is leaking.

A cheaper solution would be to spend £45,000 on new asbestos roofing sheets and guttering, but that would be 'second best'.

A further £35,000 is needed to improve the Corn Hall toilets, a new hall extractor fan will cost another £35,000, while work on the 'propped up' cellar ceiling would cost £65,000.

CDC's head of cultural services Mags Mernagh told members: "There's always been an exit strategy for the council and that's sell it - it's not he first time we've thought about it.

"In terms of throwing money into it, it's actually cheap to run. It's been fairly cheap to subsidise and fairly easy to ignore."

* The Corn Hall is used for a variety of reasons, including market sales, band performances and club nights.

It is overseen by a joint management committee, which includes Cirencester Town Council representatives.

The town council recently reduced its own funding for the facility from £25,000 to £10,000 per annum.