Oakham Town Council is proposing to spend £10,000 on assessing whether it should take over a historic hall. 

Victoria Hall in Oakham's High Street needs as much as £429,000 spending on updates and getting it into full working order. 

The town council has already spent £2,800 on the building survey, £18,000 for a new boiler and £3,000 as an 'emergency bail out' for the hall. Now they will shell out £10,000 on a consultant.  

Earlier this year councillors agreed to consider moving into Victoria Hall, leaving its current premises at ROL House, Long Row, which it shares with an escape room. 

The matter will be discussed on Wednesday and the council, whose chairman is Chris Nix, will hear a presentation from Victoria Hall's trustees. The hall is run by a charitable trust. 

The agenda report to be discussed by councillors says: "Oakham Town Council has a clear responsibility to safeguard Victoria Hall as a public asset, ensuring it continues to serve the community, honours its heritage, and avoids unmanaged decline. 

"Victoria Hall is facing serious financial instability and an increasingly uncertain future. The trustees have openly expressed their struggle to sustain operations, raising urgent concerns about the hall's viability. In light of this, discussions have begun around a possible transfer of stewardship to Oakham Town Council. Any such transfer must be handled with care. It's not just about taking on a building—it's about safeguarding public value, ensuring strong and transparent governance, and acting in the best interests of the community." 

To protect against reputational, legal, and financial exposure, the council proposes engaging a specialist consultant. Their role would be to make sure decisions are strategic, legally sound, and aligned with civic obligations. 

They would also identify risks, and outline a phased and costed plan for takeover. 

The report adds: "This is not just about saving a building—it's about protecting Oakham Town Council and fulfilling our civic duty."   

It is estimated that £237,000 is needed for external hall repairs, such as new windows and a front canopy, and a further £192,000 could be spent on internal renovations including a new office and toilets. 

The council has asked Rutland County Council whether funding given by developers as part of planning agreements, can be used to help pay for Victoria Hall repairs.  

Whether to approve the £10,000 for a consultant will be decided on Wednesday.