RESIDENTS will have to wait even longer to discover the latest plans for Abingdon Guildhall as the decision about its future will be made behind closed doors tonight.

The press and public will be excluded when the newly-formed Guildhall committee headed by town councillor Dennis Garrett presents its recommendations for the landmark building to the full town council.

Mr Garrett was appointed chairman of the committee after last month’s election and its members have drawn up confidential recommendations that will be put before the council after this evening’s public meeting.

The new councillor, who has only served since May when he was elected to represent Abbey Ward, refused to divulge what the plans were because of “commercial confidentiality”.

He said: “At this meeting the recommendations that have been formulated by the Guildhall Committee will be put to the full council for approval.

“Clearly before that there is very little I can say. It is public knowledge the Guildhall is being closed on August 31.

“The current committee has been working extremely hard. I am very, very excited about what we will be putting forward to the full council.”

The 15th century original Guildhall has already been restored, but speculation has surrounded the future of its 1966 modern extension since 2013, when proposals to create a cinema and arts hub were revealed.

The plans included a two-screen 100-seater cinema, renovating the Abbey Hall with between 150 and 200 theatre seats and a new cafe or bar.

But the £3.4m proposals appeared to have been shelved after the town council failed to secure Lottery grants to expand its £1.2m budget, despite town bosses agreeing to close the building at the end of August for 12 months of renovations.

Further doubts were raised when the former chairman of the Guildhall committee Iain Littlejohn did not stand for re-election in May and was replaced by Mr Garrett.

Mr Littlejohn said that although he had put himself forward for election, his papers were then lost.

He claimed this was not picked up on until after the nominations had been formally submitted.

The Guildhall has been run by Abingdon Town Council since 2011, when it was passed over from Vale of White Horse District Council, and is set to close at the end of August for the refurbishments.

Town councillor Sandy Lovatt had previously defended the closing of the hall, saying it had become a “white elephant” because only 12 per cent of it was used while it cost £150,000 a year to operate.

Bryan Brown, chairman of the Friends of Abingdon Civic Society, said the imminent decision has been long-awaited by residents.

He added: “We hope it’s going to be developed or improved by the plans.

“It is the only civic asset we have got in Abingdon and certainly the condition of the Guildhall is not terrific. We would be disappointed if it was not improved.”