Witney Corn Exchange

In November 2011, the iconic and well loved Witney Corn Exchange was 'closed with immediate effect'.
We are seeing living history in action here. The fate of this Grade II listed building (see British Listed Buildings) is unknown, but from the council website, the 'top news' is that the Public Consultation is 'well underway'. It is not clear from the web page when this was published:

November 10th 2011
Oxfordshire Guardian

The Corn Exchange in Witney town centre has been forced to closed, after falling into a state of disrepair.

The town council decided temporary closure was the only option for the grade II listed building at a meeting held on Monday. The decision was prompted by the latest building inspection report, which was received last week.

The report highlighted imminent issues with the ventilation and heating systems, which would require a significant amount of public money to fix. Councillor Harry Eaglestone, Witney town mayor, said: “It’s very sad that as a council we have had to come to this decision.

November 10th 2011
Witney Gazette

The Grade II listed Corn Exchange in Market Square, Witney, has been closed with immediate effect.

Witney Town Council made the decision because the hall’s heating and ventilation system is due to fail “imminently”.

The council is moving upcoming events to alternative premises, including Langdale Hall in Langdale Gate.

It is not yet known how long the hall will be closed for.

November 11th 2011
BBC Oxford

A public hall in West Oxfordshire has been closed because the heating and ventilation is close to breaking down.

Inspectors said the Grade II Witney Corn Exchange will be shut for the foreseeable future "due to the imminent failure" of the system.

"It's time to start looking at something other than short term fixes and that's what we need to do now," mayor Harry Eaglestone said.

The Corn Exchange was built in 1863 and last refurbished in 1978.

"While we are acutely aware of the historic significance of the Corn Exchange and the importance of its place in the heart of Witney, in its current state it's a bit like an old car," the mayor continued.

"Once one thing goes wrong and is fixed you are immediately faced with the next problem and so it goes on.

"It will take some time to give careful consideration to all of the options before any decisions are made and before any further money is spent."

Witney Town Council said it has listened to the feedback of the hall's users and will incorporate them in plans for "a modern, purpose built town centre venue".