THE £10 million refurbishment of Hove Town Hall should be subject to a public consultation, a leading conservation group has said.

The Regency Society has raised concerns about the loss of the “civic function” of the Brighton and Hove City Council building if major internal changes converting public spaces into offices and shops go ahead.

The refurbishment would mean the loss of its Great Hall and Banquet Suite for public use Council officers have granted permission through delegated powers to the major overhaul of the town hall in Norton Road to make room for 650 more staff.

The changes will allow council workers to vacate the King’s House council headquarters, which could then be sold.

Roger Hinton, Regency Society chairman, has called on the council to conserve the Great Hall and Banqueting Suite for the “use and enjoyment of future generations”.

He said when the society agreed in principle to the proposals last year, the exact nature of the overhaul was not made clear in council documents.

He added: “Since then we have learned of plans which go far beyond what was described in the planning application.”

Under the plans, new floors will be built within the central main area and unused spaces converted into new offices.

A new front entrance café will be created and the Great Hall converted into ground floor retail units with office space above to be let to external organisations.

The glass exterior will be replaced with energy-efficient double glazing, solar panels will be installed and a new heating and ventilation system fitted.

As part of the works, the council’s planning committee meetings will move to Portslade Town Hall from April for up to 18 months.

Mr Hinton said while the council was under no obligation to describe the internal changes, they represented major changes to “an important and much valued public building” and should be subject of public consultation.

He said The Great Hall was possibly the best space for public assembly and music performance in the city.

Mr Hinton said he hoped there was scope for public involvement in the plans once the internal arrangements had passed through the feasibility stage.

Council officials said the Great Hall, which has hosted wrestling bouts, gigs and disco nights, and the Banquet Suite, were not popular as venues.

A council spokesman said the town hall revamp would modernise work practices through flexible working and reduce accommodation costs in the face of £100 million loss in Government funding over the next five years.

Councillor Ollie Sykes, whose responsibilities include the council's property, said:  “This is a plan to give taxpayers better value for money by using our space more efficiently. 

"It’s not ideal for many people that we’re having to move the planning committee to Portslade Town Hall. 

"But the choice was forced on us by a lack of regularly-available alternatives in central areas, particularly those with the required standards for disabled people. 

"On the plus side, I’m hoping it will see the council engaging more closely with the people of Portslade.”