A CAMPAIGN to Save Druitt Hall in Christchurch has been started over fears it could be demolished.

Visitors to the hall’s weekly Country Market, just off Christchurch High Street, were signing a petition on Monday dedicated to saving the hall for the use of the community.

Loyal users and supporters of the building, which was built in 1953 for the Queen’s Coronation, want assurances over its future in light of comments made recently by the leader of Christchurch council, Cllr Ray Nottage.

In an article in the Daily Echo last month, Cllr Nottage said Druitt Hall was “past its sell-by date” and should be removed “forthwith”.

He said it “does not represent or fit in with the exciting ideas and visions they (the ward councillors) have got for that end of the town”.

Karen Pigott, secretary of Christchurch Country Market, said: “Our customers are up in arms over the prospect of not having a hall.

“This market is so popular on a Monday that they are queuing out the door to get in.

“Druitt Hall is central to the town, is used by so many different groups, where will they go?”

Eileen Gay, market manager, added: “We love it here and the customers love it.

“It’s more than a hall – it’s a place where people come to socialise.

“We could make it look a lot better and fundraise to do so but we need some kind of assurances.”

The campaigners are organising a public meeting at Druitt Hall on Wednesday November 30 at 7pm.

Cllr Peter Hall, town centre ward councillor said: “Obviously we can understand people thinking it has gone past the sell-by date but we do not want to see the users without anywhere to go.

“In my opinion I would not want to see any groups or organisations homeless.”