FEES to use Okehampton's Charter Hall will remain the same for the town's community groups following its refurbishment.

The hall has recently undergone extensive refurbishment work to make it more fit for purpose.

This includes the hall being decorated in neutral colours to attract event organisers to use the venue. The attempted diversification of users beyond community groups is being targeted in an effort to increase hall revenue. The hall currently runs at a loss.

The council has revealed that even though it is striving to increase revenue, community groups will not see an increase in their rates to use the hall. There will be a slight increase in fees for commercial users.

Cllr Paul Vachon, chair of the council's property committee, said: 'The working group were very aware of the current difficult financial climate, hence our decision to keep the charges as they are for community groups.'

The efforts to increase revenue and attract event organisers include a revised marketing plan for the hall.

The council is to update its brochure and leaflets for the hall, contact photographers, caterers and wedding organisers in an effort to see if it could be used for wedding receptions, and carry out a mail-drop to local businesses to encourage their use of the space.