SCORES of people – and a pantomime horse – protested outside Witney’s closed Corn Exchange to demand more information and a chance to have their say over the future of the building.

The Grade II-listed building in Market Square was closed by the town council on Thursday after a report found the hall’s heating and ventilation system was in danger of “imminent failure”. No date has been set for reopening or when repairs might start.

John Richards, the owner of Screen at the Square cinema for the past 14 years, said: “There should be an open public meeting so that the future of the Corn Exchange can be properly discussed.

“There are lots of groups who use the hall and members of the public who want answers. What makes this worse is that we have been getting some very good audiences for films in recent weeks.” Mr Richards is now seeking other venues.

Witney Dramatic Society member Natalie Mullins, 30, who took part in the protest, said: “The Corn Exchange means a lot to people in Witney and it is not right that we are not being told how long the building is going to be closed for.”

Events that have been rescheduled as a result of the closure include West Oxfordshire Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Gift Fair.

The event was due to be held at the Corn Exchange on Saturday, December 3, but will now be held in Langdale Hall on Friday, December 2, from 10am-4.30pm.