WITNEY’S Langdale Hall looks set to close at the end of next year and be sold off as part of a plan to reopen the Corn Exchange.

On Monday night, members of the town council’s public halls committee recommended selling the hall, in Langdale Gate, to help pay for a multi-million-pound renovation of the Corn Exchange.

The Corn Exchange, in Market Square, was closed suddenly in November 2011, after a safety inspection uncovered serious problems.

The idea of selling the Langdale Hall was first floated in 2011, because the building was running at a loss, with costs outweighing income by £60,000-a-year. The proposal was revived in August, due to the cost of reopening the Corn Exchange.

In 2011, an estate agent, who did not want to be named, told the Gazette the site of the Langdale Hall could be worth up to £1m if sold for redevelopment with shops and flats.

Monday’s meeting heard that it was now planned to spend up to £400,000 from the council’s reserves on work to get the Corn Exchange fit for use again, such as updating wiring and heating equipment.

The council will then apply for a £2m grant from the Heritage Lottery Enterprise Fund, probably in February next year.

A meeting will take place later this week with representatives from the Enterprise Fund to outline the Corn Exchange’s potential. Councillors were told this fund is intended to support neglected historic buildings and sites with community uses.

If the second application fails, councillors said they would consider obtaining a loan.

Councillor Roger Curry said: “There are quite a few charities we can approach that will provide funds, but only once we have got the hall up and running.”

The committee discussed a valuation of the Langdale Hall site commissioned by the council from a surveyor, but this part of the meeting was closed to the press and public, because of confidentiality.

The recommendation to sell Langdale Hall was welcomed by deputy mayor Jeanette Baker, who said: “It will be better to have one modern building that will service everyone’s needs.”

Witney resident Terry Powell, of Schofield Avenue, said: “I’m in favour of Langdale Hall being sold to refurbish the Corn Exchange. I don’t think there’s any need for two public halls so close to each other.”

The council’s facilities manager, Claire Swan, said: “When we consulted people, they were passionate about the Corn Exchange.

“They were devastated it was closed and wanted it back open. It will also be more cost-effective.”

The recommendation from the committee will be debated by the full council on Monday, December 2.

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