January 16, 2006
Burnham-On-Sea’s Princess Hall could close unless new owner is found
Burnham-On-Sea’s Princess Hall could be shut down unless a new local organisation takes it on, we can reveal.
As part of a cost-cutting exercise, the current owner, Sedgemoor District Council, is seeking to find different organisations to manage the building.
Spokeswoman Claire Faun told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “As part of this year’s budget proposals due to be considered by full council in February, Sedgemoor District Council will be seeking to find alternative organisations to manage The Town Hall and Trinity Hall in Bridgwater and the Princess in Burnham-On-Sea.”
At this early stage, the Council is keen to hear any proposals that local organisations may have on the future of the community hall.
.Princess Hall Fact File
The Princess was built in 1869 by a private company known as the Market House and Town Hall Company, at a cost of £2,000.
Since then it has housed the Council Chambers, been used as a covered market and accommodated the town fire station under its first floor auditorium.
In 1994, Sedgemoor District Council embarked upon a major refurbishment of the building, almost completely re-building the venue internally and taking out the upper hall to provide a ground-floor auditorium and several smaller rooms for hire.
But she warned: “However, if no interest is shown by any organisation, the Council will review its options, including the possible closure of the hall.”
The spokeswoman added: “We firmly believe halls and buildings of all sizes can be run by local organisations for their communities in a far more appropriate way than by a district Council.”
“There are good working examples, such as King Johns Hunting Lodge in Axbridge and St Georges Hall in Bridgwater, that have been taken over by local management committees/trusts and have gone from strength to strength.”
Cllr Duncan McGinty, Leader of Sedgemoor District Council, said: “We hope that
there will be a considerable amount of local interest in assuming the role of managing the halls for the local community. This is a wonderful opportunity for local organisations to get more involved with their communities.”
A letter seeking ‘expressions of interest’ in the running of the halls has been sent to Burnham and Highbridge Town Council. After it has indicated its intention, other local organisations will be invited to express their interest.
Town council clerk Eileen Shaw told Burnham-On-Sea.com late on Monday that the issue would be discussed by the full council at its February meeting.
She added: “We will need to know all the costs and implications before the town council is able to consider the issue.”
The news comes just days after Sedgemoor District Council announced it was also trying to sell off another of Burnham-On-Sea’s landmarks – its swimming pool, which we reported here last week.
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