FOUR council-run public halls are to go under the spotlight in a bid to improve how they are marketed and boost their income by 10 per cent in a year.

Now promoted as Valley Venues, Rossendale's four public halls are to come under scrutiny amid suggestions that one or more may need to close to make the others profitable.

A special meeting of the leisure services sub-committee tomorrow, will consider a three-year plan by halls manager Chris Read for Rawtenstall Astoria, Haslingden Public Hall, Bacup Leisure Hall and Whitworth Civic Hall.

In his report he warns: "It must be appreciated that for a borough the size of Rossendale, four major halls are more than sufficient for the demand of customers. "To face members with the option of closing one or more facilities would be unacceptable, especially if it was to be their local hall, but it may need to be addressed in the future."

But his suggestion that a new public hall and theatre could be included in the Ilex Mill project - a new home for the town hall and police station - has been discounted by leisure chairman Coun Lawrence Forshaw.

The report claims it is difficult to attract the public to the halls and that major modernisation work is needed on all four. Poor parking and lack of disabled access deter people from using the Astoria and Haslingden Public Hall.

The Astoria, which boasts one of the best dance floors in the North West, has regular weekly dances and hosts major civic events, but has "surprisingly few" private bookings.

Haslingden Public Hall, the Valley's Theatre Venue, is well used by Rossendale Amateur Operatic Society and Rossendale Amateur Youth Society, has popular tea and line dancing and varied entertainment programmes but is suffering from "years of apathy and inactivity."

It is hoped the introduction of a catering service will encourage wedding receptions, dinner dances, banqueting, meetings, seminars and conferences.

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