Jay Jones, of Victoria Road, Dartmouth, writes:

An article appeared in the Chronicle's January 27 issue that had the tone of a condemned building notice for the Guildhall, with councillors quoted as saying that it was 'creaking, decrepit' and 'losing taxpayers £40,000 a year'. It indicated that the Guildhall had 'no desirability as a future town asset'.

Curiously the story later refers to 'running costs' of £40,000 a year.

Accountancy is not my profession but I have to wonder whether that £40,000 is the same as the £40,000 per year the building is 'losing' or is it another, strangely similar amount?

Surely there should be some income set against the running costs, assuming that the property is being effectively managed?

A councillor is quoted in the story as believing that the Guildhall 'is no longer sustainable' but then relents and suggests that all options should be considered including whether it could be 'marketed better'. Well, yes.

In the same issue there was a well-informed and perceptive letter from Melanie Hughes-Jones (no relation).

She points out the value of the Guildhall to Dartmouth and warns comments about the Guildhall's redundancy might be the council's way of setting the agenda. Of course, investment in the building and consideration of how it could be used for commercial income and also the promotion of that could provide some answers.

With the right business plan and some enthusiasm, the Guildhall could have a useful future.

In fact, wasn't this the council's motivation in the expensive renovation of the market? Never mind some quibbles about the results, the market is now a revived retail micro-hub with added history and character.

Sadly, according to Andy Carter, quoted in the February 3 issue, it seems no-one considered that promotion is necessary to help realise a return on the council's expenditure.

It will be interesting to see what the council finds out about the value of the Guildhall.

Having already talked down the structural value of the property perhaps the architectural salvage will at least be a tidy slice of the price consideration. In spite of the Guildhall's somewhat quaint design features who, except property developers, wants to see it replaced by another characterless block of flats?