Sir – What is going on with Witney public halls? Now the Langdale has closed, we have little option but to hire the Corn Exchange for our bi-annual event that has been running for over ten years.

To achieve the same amount of space as the main hall at Langdale, we have to hire the WHOLE of the Corn Exchange at more than twice the price. Then we’re unable to use all of the building!

Sufficient storage hasn’t been factored into the redesign, so although hiring the entire building we cannot use all of it due to furniture stored in the lobby area – there has been objection to moving it and a reduction in hire price is non-negotiable!

There is less flexibility with the hire. Our event opens to the public from 10am, and when hiring The Langdale we were able to get in from 8.30am to set up and check health and safety of exhibitors for the public. Accessing before the allotted four-hour slot, extra charges are applied plus VAT.

Hire costs of the Corn Exchange are high, and the inflexibility of the town council is unbelievable! On average 500+ people visit our events, many from out of the area. They also frequent local shops.

Our event helps the local economy. Surely we could expect some support with this?

We have come close to cancelling our next event as the town council have been so obstructive, inflexible and unhelpful.

We are actively now looking for alternative venues for the future. It will be Witney’s loss.

Let’s hope that the outrageous hire costs, coupled with the obstructive nature of the town council doesn’t result in this recently reopened building becoming a white elephant.

Bring back the Langdale Hall. It was ideal for so many users and more affordable.

Sue Baldwin and Gilly Workman
Third Eye Workshops
Foxwood
Square Firs
Aston