Kingston Council should start renting out the town centre Guildhall for weddings and receptions to help it fill its coffers, according to the deputy mayor.
Inside the Guildhall, the Queen Anne Suite, the Council Chamber and the Committee Room are all listed as available for hire for corporate events on the council’s website, but not for weddings.
Deputy mayor of Kingston Councillor Shiraz Mirza believed the idea could raise money for the council in a time when money was tight but said security costs were putting the council off.
He said: “A lot of people want to use it but the council won’t allow them to use it.
“If we include the cost of security in the overall price it could be good money for the council, and a lot of people would be able to use the facility.”
But Coun Rolson Davies, executive member for registration and citizenship said: “The Guildhall in Kingston has never been used as a venue for wedding functions, nor is it advertised as such on our website. It simply wouldn’t be suitable because of the high cost of security for the building, particularly protecting council offices.
“We do allow the Guildhall to be hired for corporate and business events, because these are likely to be on a much smaller scale with fewer security implications.”
Coun Davies said Market House was available for weddings. Its two rooms in the Market Place hold 110 people.
The company running wedding receptions on council-owned Raven’s Ait island went into administration in December, leaving several wedding plans in tatters.
Elsewhere the Antoinette Hotel, Warren House, Lovekyn Chapel, Turks launches, LionGate Hotel in Hampton Court Road and Hampton Court Palace Golf Club are all offering themselves out as wedding venues.
Richmond Council received £129,345 last year for holding weddings at 17th Century York House and 18th Century Orleans House, although it had to pay for staff and licences, as well as upkeep of the buildings, out of the total.
A spokesman said: “It’s extra money with which we can fund other services.”
Nearby Elmbridge Council has discontinued its wedding service, after only making £360 last year.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here