DEMOLISHING Fareham's major entertainment centre to finance a new purpose-built theatre and cinema in the town has been ruled out.

Council officers revealed they had considered and rejected the startling option as part of a cost-saving shake-up of arts in the borough.

They investigated if it was worth selling the town centre hall site for around £3 million to pay for a new theatre and cinema complex next to the leisure centre in Park Lane.

Research undertaken when compiling the arts strategy and a recent survey showed a theatre and cinema was a high priority with borough residents and Ferneham Hall users.

Officers stressed that although the hall provided a good service it could not accommodate top quality theatre productions and cinema because of the current size and lay-out of the building and the technical equipment available.

However, they ruled out the demolition-land sale option as high risk because of a number of factors, including the disruption and the difficulty of re-establishing the high profile of Ferneham Hall if it was moved near the leisure centre.

The hall has played host to many stars over the years including former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman and his new band, the Rhythm Kings.

Council leader Sean Woodward said: "We are thinking the unthinkable in a value-for-money review of services. We are looking at all options to help council taxpayers. The annual council subsidy for the Ferneham Hall is £600,000 a year, which we have brought down from three-quarters of a million."

He said demolition of the building had been ruled out, but the council was looking at all ways to increase use of the hall and increase revenue.

Labour group leader Mick Prior said: "It was never on to demolish the hall and I am glad this is not being recommended. The hall provides an essential service and is the only civic hall in Fareham."

However, he thought if the hall was being built today, it would be in a different location with greater facilities.