Weymouth Guildhall may be put up for sale (From Dorset Echo)
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Weymouth Guildhall may be put up for sale
5:00pm Thursday 2nd September 2010 in
WEYMOUTH’S Guildhall could be transformed into a bar or restaurant after council officers called for it to be repaired and sold.
The Grade II listed building is currently used by the Register Office and the Weymouth Community Volunteers with Weymouth and Portland Borough Council using it for full council meetings six times each year.
And the council’s management committee is being urged to vote for structural repairs to be done before it is put forward ‘for future disposal’ when a review of all council property is carried out.
Councillor Peter Chapman, finance spokesman, sees it as inevitable that the Guildhall will be sold with a bar or restaurant the likeliest option because of the building’s layout.
He said: “For the size of the building and cost of maintenance you would have to argue that it’s probably not worth us keeping.
“To my mind it’s just a question of when we try and dispose of the premises and whether we do the repairs before or after.”
He added: “It’s Grade II listed so the infrastructure worth keeping will be kept.
“If it goes to public use more people will see that than at present and it would have to be along the lines of a bar or restaurant.
“I don’t think the structure and layout is particularly practical for much else.”
In the officers’ report for the management committee meeting on September 7 they expressed their fears of a backlash if the building is sold.
The report reads: “There is also a risk of reputational damage because a decision to sell could be seen as the council abrogating its responsibilities.”
No sale price is currently being estimated as the council’s property manager is recommending repairs are carried out first amid an unpredictable market.
Scaffolding was put up this year when officers called in structural engineers. Work to reconnect stonework and the backing masonry is expected to cost £38,000 and work that will include opening up infilled windows will cost a further £27,000.
Professional fees have not been listed in this cost and the total is therefore expected to be £92,000. This is the officers’ recommended option while a more comprehensive reconstruction scheme is estimated at £190,000.
Members of the committee are also being warned that within ‘the next few years’ the St Edmund Street elevation of the Guildhall is expected to require £100,000 of repairs.
Comments(14)
585
says...
5:29pm Thu 2 Sep 10
could be a good site for a hotel.
JANEAUSTEN
says...
6:00pm Thu 2 Sep 10
We are a regency town and we must try our hardest to keep our lovely old buildings, for example the excellent work done in saving and running the Old Town Hall.
Could it be converted to a theatre?
citizenno210961
says...
6:20pm Thu 2 Sep 10
X Old Bill
says...
7:10pm Thu 2 Sep 10
While working there on occasion, performing various functions, I often thought that for an old building of architectural interest it would make a magnificent museum - The perfect surroundings for ancient artefacts and really representing the image of old Melcombe.
Since those days I have visited many places throughout Europe and around the Mediterranean and I have seen many similar buildings in use as museums and galleries. It just seems right to do so.
JANEAUSTEN
says...
7:28pm Thu 2 Sep 10
I dont want to form art groups, I want to save our heritage. Just because you have a grudge against people running the Old Town Hall, dont bring your own prejudices into this .
franchise
says...
7:31pm Thu 2 Sep 10
Funny you should say that............
Get a grip
says...
7:37pm Thu 2 Sep 10
1)This is yet one more example of the council failing to look after the buildings they hold on trust for the ratepayer and then they say the building is in poor condition and they do not have the money to repair it. The Old Town Hall
2)Dear Jane Austin you have to understand that the arts need subsidies to carry on and we cannot afford this at the moment. As an example the council improved the old arts centre at a cost of £1 million pounds for the local artist then they said they could not pay a rent.
bretthehe
says...
2:50am Fri 3 Sep 10
lets make it a new tasty kebab shop
regardez
says...
7:24am Fri 3 Sep 10
Only joking let's turn it into drop in centre for all the poor unfortunate drinkers and druggies.
weymouthfox
says...
10:02pm Sat 4 Sep 10
Islandjim
says...
2:45pm Sun 5 Sep 10
weymouthfox wrote:Great idea!
The Guildhall would make a superb museum, whose future at Brewers Quay must be in doubt with the hotel plans. The council does seem to neglect its buildings and our heritage.
notreally
says...
1:55pm Mon 6 Sep 10
bizzylizzy
says...
9:25pm Wed 8 Sep 10
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Scolopax says...
5:19pm Thu 2 Sep 10