WITNEY Town Council has confirmed plans to sell Langdale Hall to finance refurbishment of the Corn Exchange.

The Oxford Mail revealed the plan, which could generate up to £1m, in February and it remains in place, despite the sudden closure of the Corn Exchange because of a series of problems.

The council closed the Market Square hall in November after a report showed its heating a ventilation system was in danger of “imminent failure”.

Metal rods have been used to stabilise the balcony, scaffolding has been installed to stop falling mortar, the seats do not comply with fire safety legislation and the wiring is failing.

The council confirmed it will reopen the community hall, but has not yet set a date.

Town councillor Chrissie Curry said the sale of Langdale Hall was still on the cards to fund refurbishment.

She said: “Selling the Langdale Hall has been the policy for 18 months, but certain legal and commercial complications – which we cannot discuss because of the involvement of third parties – have to be resolved before we can go forward. The entire concept has been that we will close Langdale Hall when everything is in place, and the time frame was to have a nice gradual switchover.

“But what has happened [with the Corn Exchange] has thrown that strategy out the window and left us with a huge problem.”

Keeping Langdale Hall open cost the council £61,916 in 2009/10, while keeping the Corn Exchange open cost a further £60,356.

A Witney estate agent said in February that selling the Langdale Hall as an entertainment facility could bring in £500,000, but selling it as shops and flats would generate up to £1m.

Langdale Hall does not have a restrictive covenant on it, meaning it does not have to be kept as a facility for the benefit of Witney residents.

The council will hold the first meeting of the public halls committee at Langdale Hall on Tuesday from 7pm. Corn Exchange users and other members of the public are invited to attend.