Stafford's Shire Hall: Exit plans given the go ahead

Staffordshire County Council's Cabinet voted in favour of pulling its arts services out of the Grade II listed hall during a meeting on Wednesday night, as it looks to make cuts.

Nearly 77,000 people visited the building last year. The local authority is unsure who could use it once it is empty but said there had been 'a lot of interest' from people wanting to use it.

The building's Great Hall is currently used by the authority's arts service and the University of Wolverhampton, but the latter is also leaving.

The move will mean the council arts service will be able to cut £118,000 from its budget in 2017/18. A further £100,000 will come from pooled property savings in its strategic services department.

Cabinet member for communities and the environment, Councillor Gill Heath, said: "We are aware of the value of this.

"We appreciate that it's well used and we are actively looking to find it an alternative provision in Stafford."

She added that the move was positive and allowed the authority to look at providing a broader range of activities around Staffordshire.

Councillor Heath said: "It's not about money, it's about inclusion. It's about taking the offer to the districts so that everyone can enjoy what's on offer."

"Staffordshire has a strong cultural offer with its archives, historical records, library services, giving residents an opportunity to learn, enjoy life and feel part of the community."

Opponents to the move penned an open letter earlier this month, which called on the council to ask for views on 'the largest, most important construction in town'.

The letter said the building would be become 'an eyesore, locking behind its gates a most important piece of history, such as the historical courtrooms and holding cell, and depriving the community of its many services'.

But the council's deputy leader, Councillor Ian Parry, said the authority could 'reassure' people there had been 'a lot of interest' from interested parties who want to use the Shire Hall once the arts service and the university have moved out.

He added the council was 'very keen for this building not to be left empty for too long'.

The back of the building was formerly used as Stafford's main library but has been empty since September 2015.

The building also contains a multi-sensory room for children, which was used more than 3,000 times last year. That is also managed by the arts service.