WORK is under way to renovate Abingdon’s historic Guildhall but plans for a cinema screen are still being costed.

The 15th century building was shut on Monday so that workers could begin renovations to lower the ceiling of the main hall and begin soundproofing the facility.

Although a reception area and the tourist information centre will be accessible through the Royce Court entrance, the Guildhall will be closed to the public until further notice.

Town councillor Mike Badcock, deputy chairman of the Guildhall committee, said that once the works are confirmed and completed he wanted the Guildhall to serve the whole of Abingdon.

He added: “It will be the town’s village hall.

“It will be a complex that serves all of Abingdon, all the people and as many needs as we can.

“We want people to come here to have their weddings and to use it for socialising.

“It belongs to the people of Abingdon, it’s for them to use and we want to make certain they can use it, and that they can afford to use it.”

The town council turned down an unknown number of private bids to create a two-screen cinema and arts hub at the historic building at a private meeting in June.

It has instead commissioned architects to draw up and cost new plans to regenerate the building, which are expected to be unveiled later this month.

Mr Badcock said that the planned cinema would have put the town council into debt for decades and said the current plans were more economical.

Although only the sound-proofing and walling-off the stage to create a new room have been confirmed, Mr Badcock said other plans are still up in the air.

Architects are currently costing up plans which include a new ground-level entrance, projector unit and screen for cinema nights, and a new café area.

Rumours have been rife about the future of the Guildhall since proposals for a two-screen, 100-seater cinema emerged in 2013, but the town council rejected bidders over fears that it would go beyond its £1.2m budget and reduce community access.

Cllr Badcock said once the plans are costed the council will decide what proposals to take forward.

He added: “We are not going to put the town in debt to pay for a cinema.”

The main entrance in the 1966 modern extension to the Guildhall will be closed during work in the hall.

The town council will still have its meetings in the original 15th century part of the building, which has already been restored, and will be open to the public during these proceedings.

Mr Badcock said it is hoped that some of the old building will be opened up to the public soon.

He added: “We will look to bring the older part back into use as soon as we can.”

The Guildhall was bought by the town council from Vale of the White Horse District Council in 2011.