An exciting and long-awaited new chapter is beginning for one of Oakham’s most historic landmarks. Oakham Town Council has officially launched a major public consultation programme for the refurbishment of Victoria Hall, aiming to transform the building into a vibrant civic, community, and cultural hub.
Local residents are being urged to play a direct role in shaping the building's future by attending an upcoming Public Consultation Drop-in Event and completing an online feedback survey.
This is your opportunity to speak directly with town councillors and officer, share your ideas, and voice your expectations for the historic site.
Saturday, 13th June 2026
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
The Victoria Hall, 39 High Street, Oakham, LE15 6AH
For those unable to attend in person, the council is asking residents to complete the short survey.
The project focuses on three core aims, restoring the councils civic presence, supporting community activity, and celebrating cultural life.
The push for public input follows a major breakthrough last week, when Oakham Town Council voted to become the sole trustee of Victoria Hall. Solicitors and the Charity Commission are currently working on the legal transition.
The decision marks a critical intervention. The council has already spent a considerable sum of public money propping up a failing trust, only for the hall's doors to ultimately close to the public. By stepping in, the council aims to halt any further structural disrepair and secure the asset for the town.
While the consultation represents progress, not everyone is celebrating unconditionally. Councillor Martin Brookes has been a vocal critic of how the project has been managed so far, welcoming the public consultation but warning that it may be "possibly one year too late."
"While I absolutely do not want to see this beautiful building fall into further disrepair, I have deep concerns about the lack of transparency and planning up to this point," Cllr Brookes stated. "We are only just now asking residents if they want us to spend £300,000 of their Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) money on repairing the hall. When the council has already made that decision. That is a massive sum of local taxpayers' money, and the community should have been asked much sooner."
Cllr Brookes is also highlighting critical operational hurdles that have yet to be addressed. Even though the town council will act as the sole trustee, legally, the charity must be run completely separate from the council itself.
According to Cllr Brookes, the project currently lacks a definitive business plan detailing who will manage day-to-day operations once the takeover is complete.
"The bottom line is that the hall will have to become profitable," Cllr Brookes warned. "The town council cannot simply keep pouring local taxpayers' money into a financial black hole. We need a clear, self-sustaining business model to ensure it can stand on its own two feet."
Cllr Brookes is currently busy delivering leaflets to every household in Oakham. "I want all residents to be aware of this project and have their say.
Because of the steep £300,000 price tag and the ongoing legal restructuring, community feedback is more important than ever. This consultation is not just a formality; it is the public's chance to demand accountability and ensure that the refurbished space genuinely serves the people of Oakham.
Whether you want to see a venue for the arts, a hub for local clubs, or a revitalised civic space, your input will dictate how your tax pounds are spent.
Keep an eye out for Cllr Brookes delivering a flyer to your door, and make sure to drop by Victoria Hall on Saturday, 13th June, or scan the QR code to complete the survey online today
Click the link below to complete the survey:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScPILAFiZGIW_YKsinfSS0M-qw9l3X6yv46udgPMuEpFuBpvw/viewform
