I HAVE been following the progress of the changes proposed for the future of the market hall and admit to being very perplexed. First there was the transfer of the farmers? market from the charter hall to the market hall with consequent disruption to the usual Saturday traders ? many of whom had been coming to Okehampton for years. The reason for the transfer was apparently that the council considered that use of the charter hall should be reserved for more ?worthy? events, eg weddings, concerts, receptions and promotional events etc. Then it was announced that in the interests of economy the council was seeking a private tenant for the market hall and consequently it would no longer be available to the regular users, markets, auction, dog group etc, all of whom had been using the venue for many years and thus contributing to the costs of running the halls. So now we have a situation where some of these users, the dog group and the auction, have been offered the use of the charter hall, albeit at a higher cost, others ? notably the two markets ? have been given their marching orders! In the midst of this last year of change and uncertainty it seems the charter hall has not improved its profitability and is largely under utilised ? it would be interesting to see the figures. The plan to lease the market hall for use as a cinema ? if it ever happens ? seems to most people to be a highly speculative venture and could last less than a year. All this must be as obvious to Okehampton Council members as to the rest of the town, so one has to ask what is the ultimate plan? Will we be told in a year?s time that the council has no option but to offer the market hall site for development? Okehampton is very lucky to have two public halls and it should not be beyond the wit of the council to keep them for public use. Let us hope that the people of Okehampton will turn out in force at the public meeting to show their support for retaining both halls for community use. Robert K Elphick 6 Barton Road Okehampton
