Background

Friends of Meeching Hall was set up in early 2023 amidst rumoured council discussions that this beloved hall was to be sold. We felt that making it An Asset of Community Value (ACV) would offer it some rightful protection.

We believe that this building bought by the council for the people, near to the town centre, loved and used by varied groups, is under- utilised.

We believe there have been missed opportunities for Meeching Hall to be truly etched on the cultural map and there are barriers to maximising its revenue stream.

We challenge the soundbite that Meeching Hall needs a million pounds to be brought up to spec.

We challenge the Council's statement that they “are committed to fair,transparent and inclusive ways of working from consultation and partnerships to decision making processes”.

The questions to be answered

We have submitted FOI requests to NTC and LDC for the Buildings Asset Review that was commissioned by NTC in July 2023 with Phase I completed March 2024 and a more detailed Phase II in August 2024. It has only recently come to light that in November 2024 an extraordinary full Council meeting was called where the Resolution to dispose of Meeching Hall was taken. The meeting on 12 Feb 2026 was “to further consider its previous

Resolution to sell Meeching Hall.”

We've asked for a detailed breakdown of the headline cost of £1M to restore Meeching Hall.

We've questioned the barriers to the booking system and marketing strategies.

We've stated how there is adequate disabled access.

Groups have questioned the price hikes and two loyal long-term customers have taken their business elsewhere.

We question whether it is good business sense to sell the biggest and arguably the most beautiful asset, with the most potential, to offset costs for other, lesser, halls.

We question whether the hall is being intentionally run down.

We question whether the Councillors have been given the full picture to make an informed choice about our building's future.

We are here to hold NTC to its values and principles. Newhaveners are making our voices heard. We invite NTC to work together with the community to make this work.

FOMH February 2026