A FILM set, a restaurant or a training centre for barristers have been suggested as uses for Colchester Magistrates’ Court when it closes.

Colchester Council has set up a panel to discuss plans for the court after a new court costing more than £16million opens in April next year.

Members of the public have been invited to give their views on what should happen to the listed building, which is part of the town hall in High Street.

Paul Smith, councillor responsible for resources, said: “We want to look at possibilities for the building because, when the courts move, there will be a substantial amount of vacant space in the town hall.

“It has got to be in keeping with the character of the whole building, so we need to look at what would fit there.

“We might consider a restaurant, but it wouldn’t be viable for a retail space or office accommodation.

“It could perhaps be a venue of some sort.”

The two courtrooms have previously been mooted as possible sets for film and television shows.

But Mr Smith said he was unsure that idea would be viable.

He said: “Since the Government funding programme for new courts was rolled out, there are quite a lot of vacant courts around the UK, so I’m not sure if it would really work to be just used as a film set or for TV programmes.

“It costs tens of thousands of pounds to maintain in a year and we would need to meet those costs somehow.

“Another possibility is that it could be used for educational purposes, maybe pupil barristers or law students at the university could make use of it.” A decision on what it will be used for is expected to be made in October.