A ROW has broken out over the future of Abingdon Guildhall after a former town councillor branded the rejection of all bids to run it as a “poor and short-sighted” decision.

The town council turned down an unknown number of private bids to create a two-screen cinema and arts hub at the historic building.

It has instead commissioned architects to draw up new plans, with costs, to regenerate the building.

Former Guildhall Committee chairman Iain Littlejohn called the council’s plans “a fluffed-up version of what we have today” and accused them of failing the town.

He said: “I’m afraid I think the town council has made a very poor and short-sighted decision with its latest plans for the Guildhall.

“It has failed the people of Abingdon by turning down a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a fantastic new facility in the town centre.”

The original 15th-century Guildhall has already been restored, but the future of its 1966 modern extension has been the subject of much discussion, with proposals for a two-screen 100-seater cinema emerging in 2013.

Despite appealing for private investors to boost the council’s £1.2m budget, members rejected their proposals at a meeting last month. on Wednesday last week. Committee members decided to pursue plans for a pared-down cinema projection unit and screen in the Abbey Hall, as well as new street-level doors and improved boilers and toilets.

Current Guildhall committee chairman councillor Dennis Garrett insisted a new cinema extension had not been ruled out, but Mr Littlejohn was unlikely to be the only disappointed person.

He said: “All 19 councillors are fully supportive of the decision that has been made and we will move forward in producing what we think is a very good option for the town.”