A council looks likely to hire a heritage architect to help with a possible takeover of a historic hall.

Talks about Oakham Town Council relocating to and managing Victoria Hall in High Street have been going on for a year and at its full council meeting on Wednesday 12 November , members will decide on a proposal by Cllr Paul Ainsley to appoint a heritage architect.

The hall is run by a charitable trust, but trustees have said it will have to be sold off unless the town council steps in.

In the past year the council has provided grants, paid for boiler improvements and agreed to move out of ROL house in Long Row, where it meets, to instead use Victoria Hall.

In September, Oakham Town Council agreed to spend £20,000 on a feasibility study. Now it wants to appoint specialists to help it make decisions.

A survey found it could cost £400,000 to renovate the hall and bring it 'back up to standard'. 

The report, which will be debated on Wednesday says the role of the heritage architect would be to ensure renovations 'respect' the building's history, comply with the laws to protect its heritage, and ensure upgrades suit its style by using the right materials and techniques.

The council has asked three local heritage architects to quote for the services, with prices ranging from £18,000 to £45,000.

It also wishes to appoint a financial advisory service to "either verify the existing plan, developed with input from internal staff and Victoria Hall trustees, or to produce a new five-year business plan."

It wants to take on a 'specialist solicitor' and it wants a 'grants writer' to help apply for funding. It estimates the cost of the grant writer could be as much as £2,000.

The council has not consulted residents' on its proposed running of Victoria Hall.