FIERCE debate broke out over whether or not councillors should provide the extra £20,000 to rescue Trowbridge Town Hall and Town Hall Arts.

Councillors locked horns at Tuesday’s council meeting, with some saying it would be a travesty if the iconic building were to close for many years, that the £10,000 already pledged was enough and that this was a waste of taxpayers’ money.

Following a lengthy exchange, the majority of councillors agreed to Cllr Graham Payne’s amendment that the town council should grant Town Hall Arts £7,000 this month, £6,000 in October and the final £7,000 next February.

During the debate, Cllr Phoebe Kemp said: “Do we really want to read the Wiltshire Times and see the headline, ‘Trowbridge Town Council saves the town hall’ or ‘the town hall will be shut for the next 10 years’? What sort of town council do we want to be?”

Cllr Geoff Whiffen said: “£20,000 is a great deal of money. Trowbridge has three areas of deprivation. We take their precept money every year. Why should they pay for it?”

Cllr Peter Fuller said: “I am quite upset at this hole that has been made in our budget. I am extremely worried we are digging a hole for the town council.”

Councillors recognised the importance of arts in the community but were more convinced of the need to retain the Victorian town hall. Cllr Payne added: “Trowbridge folk would never forgive us if the town hall became redundant and fell into disrepair.”

A task group of councillors will be set up to look at Town Hall Arts budgets, look at new income streams and finding ways to increase the community’s usage of the town hall.

THA director, Tracy Sullivan, added: “It is a massive relief that we feel that we are able to keep the town hall open. We are so grateful.”

“We would have ceased to be in August. The town council has recognised what we do and their continued support for us.

“The town hall would have another been derelict building in the town centre that would have likely been shut for tens of years.”