The aldermen of Colchester oppose any sell-off of Colchester’s town hall.

The building is the jewel in Colchester’s crown and it is for all the people of the borough.

The aldermen are very proud of our historic and ancient borough, and the town hall, beyond all other buildings, symbolises our pride. It should be a beacon for local democracy in the borough.

As a garrison town, it is also viewed by our soldiers as the heart of the town, where they too can demonstrate their pride in the very difficult tasks they undertake.

We wonder how many people in the borough know how many and what rooms are available for use? Indeed, how many people know why we have a town hall?

People need to know more and it is the council’s responsibility to make this known.

We recognise it makes sense for the council to try to recoup costs and we support the council’s efforts to make maximum use of the building by more intense marketing.

We also support any moves towards the use or employment of a professional marketing manager to promote the town hall’s use to the residents of the borough.

In the long and short term, this may include a greater, rather than less, use for council purposes and a possible tourist office, and, building on its success as a wedding and dinner venue, marketing the building as a tool for education, cultural events such as concerts, parties and receptions, and even small meeting or class rooms for hire by the hour.

It is the people’s building and we must use it and ensure it remains the heart of our town.

Richard Wheeler

On his own behalf and the following aldermen:

Roger Browning, Graham Bober, Mary Frank, Janet Fulford, Paul Spendlove, Rod Green, Ken Cooke, Mary Fairhead, Frank Wilkin, David Cannon, Tony Webb, David Holt, Jenny Stevens, Richard Gower and Chris Hall