WINCHESTER City Council could open a public bar in its ceremonial headquarters.

Officers will produce a study on whether the Wintonian Room bar at the Guildhall could be opened to the public at lunchtimes.

But leader Keith Wood called for more information after questioning the financial rewards.

Speaking at a Cabinet meeting last Wednesday (Oct 23), he said: “We need to think more carefully as to whether we should set up a lunchtime bar. “There are a lot of other pubs around so I think we need to put up a financial case to show it will be beneficial.

“I have no problem with us investigating it, but I do think there has to be a very good case for it.”

Head of estates Kevin Warren said the idea was part of a wider plan to revamp the room and make it more attractive for events.

He said: “The Wintonian Room needs to be refurbished anyway to keep the space lettable and I would not want this issue to restrict us from refurbishing the room.”

It came as Cabinet approved a variety of other proposals for the building, including extending the catering service by three years and allow external banners to be erected to advertise events.

Cllr Wood added: “My thanks go to the staff at the Guildhall who have undoubtedly turned things around. We may not see the results until next year but there’s a new sense of energy about the management that we all welcome.