IT must have come as no surprise to most of us that the cost for the refurbishment of the Guildhall in Abingdon has now risen a further £800,000.

Before the council imposes an unwanted 100-seater cinema on to the ratepayers of Abingdon, can we be assured that it has at least investigated the possibility of turning the un-let double-storey empty shop in the precinct, into a possible viable cinema?

After all, following enquiries to potential groups who may have been interested in the proposed new theatre, I understand that again there was little support for this part of the project.

With 15 existing locations that provide coffee within 200 yards of the Guildhall, yet another one seems to indicate a total lack of market research to establish whether there was a demand of yet another.

The solution? Refurbish the building, services, toilets, use the smaller units to relocate the town council offices, and save the ratepayers millions. We will still have the Amey and Unicorn theatres, then build an Abingdon Globe Theatre on the island.

I’ll even make a donation for that!

BRIAN EASTOE
Sutton Wick Lane
Drayton