THOSE campaigning to bring Baldock Town Hall back into community use have been told they need to address gaps in their business plan.

The future of the town hall, which has stood empty since 2009, was on the agenda for North Herts District Council’s Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

Baldock Town Hall Ltd - a group made up of a number of the town’s organisations, including the Baldock Town and District Partnership - wants to use the building for the arts, as well as for education and training purposes.

The campaign group has spent almost a year drafting a business plan for the building, but a council officer’s report issued at Wednesday’s meeting stated that “further supporting evidence for a number of the proposals expressed by the Baldock Town Hall group will be required”.

The campaign group has until March 20, when Cabinet meets again, to produce a viable business case. A decision on the future of the town hall is expected to be made at this meeting.

If the business case fails, the council could opt to sell the building.

Alison Gentle, vice chairman of Baldock Town Hall Ltd, said: “We have got a meeting with North Herts District Council officers on some of the gaps in our business plan.

“We only have one shot at it, so we want to make sure it’s ok.

“We are really pleased to be meeting with the officers of the council because they will give us the criteria and will help us get it right.

“The business plan has been well received so far, but there are a few gaps, including on use and estimates and predictions of this.

“It’s all very positive and it’s very exciting.”

Any community group interested in using Baldock Town Hall can visit www.bthl.org.uk for more information.