LAUNCESTON Town Council has decided to include an orchestra pit in the £1-million refurbishment of the Town Hall.

The installation will be made based on the premise that it will provide greater ease of access to under stage storage, as well as storage itself, and more versatility for future event holding.

Cllr Brian Hogan recognised the amount of storage and simpler means of entry to it that would be provided by the installation of an orchestra pit, made it a viable proposition.

"An orchestra pit does give the chance to get to under stage storage for around 300 chairs and 50 tables. Under the stage is quite a large area and this scenario will cost no more than the original contract.

"If creating access alone to the storage costs £1,000 and the orchestra pit costs £5,000. then we are looking at £6,000. However, Mr Wiltshire (chartered building surveyor with Kivell's) can save £1,000 on the hall floor and assures me that that can be improved upon.

"Items such as the electric blinds, I see personally as a luxury. We need to get the building right before luxuries. Someone can open and close the blinds and save £3,500."

Cllr Dave Gordon did not agree wholeheartedly with Cllr Hogan's proposition. "If the issue is about storage then why do we need a pit for six musicians which will rarely be used, when money can be better spent on introducing railings at the front of the building."

Cllr Hogan replied: "There is a bit more to it than that. The measurements of the pit are nine metres by three metres at a depth of 600 mm. That means more storage and more benefits for musicians. The more versatile we can make it, the better it will be — if we limit it we'll be in trouble."

Cllr Margaret Young added: "It is an opportunity to provide, not just for LADS (Launceston Amateur Dramatic Society), but perhaps for travelling performers and entertainers. We need to provide as much versatility as we can."

Despite more opposition from Cllr Tony Sandercock, who said he believed the pit to be a "waste of time and money," Cllr Hogan admitted he wasn't originally convinced about an orchestra pit, but the storage capabilities changed his mind.

Cllr Graham Facks-Martin was also in favour of the new development, and said: "The price of the orchestra pit in relation the project as a whole, is not a lot. Six thousand pounds will provide a facility for pantomimes, musicals, and I am in favour of that."

Cllr Mary Williams, however, dubbed the plan "a devious bit of dealing," questioning the need to spend more money on storage space when chairs and tables could be stored in the hall when not in use.

Mayor, Cllr Paul O'Brien, added: "Since hearing how difficult it can be to reach the under stage storage, a pit for access would make it vastly easier. It is an opportunity to spend very small amount of money pro rata, to buy a facility that may greatly enhance the use of the town hall. To give a platform on which the town can use, to provide facilities which the town can use is something our successors will thank us for."

Cllr Pamela Davey said: "I am ambivalent about the whole thing, especially when it only takes six musicians. However, if we don't do this now, we won't be able to.

"We want a town hall for the 21st century, and as much as I would love to see the railings back, future generations can put forward the dosh for them."