The future look of Witney’s dilapidated Corn Exchange and the facilities it will contain are beginning to emerge.

Witney Town Council closed the Market Square hall in November after a report showed it had major problems with fire escapes, stonework and the heating and electrical systems.

Now the council has held a public workshop with residents and user groups to draw up a design brief to take to architects for the planned revamp. Three options were discussed: l Refurbishing the hall l Remodelling the interior l Knocking the building down and starting again.

Design briefs for each were drawn up by the 40 participants, taking into account the views of 170 consultation questionnaires received from people in the town.

It was decided the repair option would include complete refurbishment of the facilities, new flexible lighting and seating, a sprung floor, lift and upstairs toilets and kitchen.

Remodelling included completely altering the foyer, to include a box office, cafe and bar, enlarging the hall to maximise space and building a new stage, wings, dressing rooms and projection room.

The complete rebuild would see the building demolished – with the exception of the facade – and the creation of entirely new facilities, including a large hall with tiered seating, foyer with exhibition space and cafe, bar area and increased dressing rooms.

All options aim to create a flexible hall that could be used by as many groups as possible. Those at the meeting had a clear preference for the remodelling option, but another round of consultation will happen once the architects have come up with designs.

Sue Godden, of Witney Spiritualist Church, said: “The council is now trying to be quite transparent as to their actions.

“They are giving people the opportunity to have their say.”

The design briefs will go out to architect firms next week and a final design is expected to be decided in October.

Meanwhile, the council agreed at a full council meeting on Monday to set aside £72,000 for the repair of the building’s facade.

This will include £15,700 to reinstate the balcony balustrade and £26,000 on masonry work.