I REPLY to David Morgan's letter in last week's Shuttle/Times and News regarding the "makeover" of Kidderminster Town Hall to provide a venue for wandering performing artistes.

Firstly, the costs are estimated at the present time at £3.2 million and, as Councillor Pauline Hayward says, this could double or treble by the time it is finished.

A fraction of such amounts of money, if the public are willing to pay for it, would be better spent on such things as services for the aged and needy people, schools and young people, environmental purposes etc.

As regards alternative sites to the town hall itself - which I must point out suits a good range of activities - there are such places as the Rose Theatre, Glades Leisure Centre, Stourport Civic Hall, many village halls (including a great new centre at Areley Kings). These can all be used to suit the needs of the "wealth of talent" that Mr Morgan says is waiting and ready to burst out when the perfect venue is found, and laid on for them.

The need for a cinema - which is part of the package - seems to have gone away with three new possible sites now on the cards for Kidderminster.

As for sipping coffee on the roadside next to bus stops and taxi ranks - well, I will leave that to your imagination.

No Mr Morgan, I still think the town hall is a grand old building, well used as it is, and one we can be proud of.

JOHN SIMMONDS

Chairman

Wyre Forest District Council

Callow Hill

Rock