A PUBLIC meeting will take place this evening to discuss the ‘urgent need’ to re-open Abingdon’s Abbey Hall and resolve long-running issues over the renovation of the connected Guildhall.

It comes after years of uncertainty around the future of the building, which is the 1960s extension to the historic Guildhall, and has lain empty since 2015.

Previous plans to install a cafe and projector room inside failed 12-months ago after being deemed unaffordable, and the council’s most recently published plans for the site do not involve Abbey Hall at all.

Increasingly concerned residents created the Save our Guildhall petition in September, which now has more than 1,700 signatures, with campaigners objecting to the removal of a staircase, which dates back to 1731, from the older part of the building as well as raising concerns about the Abbey Hall.

Plans for a £1 million refurbishment of the adjoining Guildhall were approved in June.

But following strong public opposition, the town council revealed in October further plans to take out the 18th century staircase so a platform lift could be installed to allow access to the Bear Room, council chamber and Abbey Room, would not move forward until the authority has obtained an independent report.

An agenda for tonight’s meeting, published on the Abingdon Town Council website, states 11 local residents had requested the special parish gathering, which is not a formal council meeting but will be attended by councillors and chaired by Abingdon mayor Jan Morter.

The first discussion item states: “The urgent need for the Abbey Hall to be re-furbished and re-opened in the near future in order to provide, once again, a much-needed community facility for the people of Abingdon.”

The second: “The need to both improve inclusive access to all parts of the Guildhall complex and, equally importantly, to preserve and protect the historic fabric of the building, which is one of Abingdon’s civic treasures.”

Iain Littlejohn, who created the online version of the Save our Guildhall petition, said: “Hopefully this meeting will allow for a constructive discussion between councillors and concerned residents.

“There is a solution to these issues, we just need the will to get there.”

Campaigners lamented another ‘wasted’ Christmas season last month, as the Abbey Hall marked a third year closed.

Susan Williams, chairman of The Art Society Abingdon said the group had used the venue as a meeting place for almost 20 years before it was forced to find an alternative venue.

She said: “It is just an absolute waste that the Abbey Hall is sitting there empty, a crying shame.”

The meeting will take place in the Roysse Room of the Guildhall from 7pm.