The Mayor of Medway has expressed his concerns over plans to sell or rent Rochester’s Corn Exchange.

The proposal for the listed building in the high street is due to be discussed at the cabinet meeting this afternoon.

The premises has two function rooms and Medway's register office is based there.

The options for the building are for the council to retain it, sell it and lease back the Register Office, or let the Corn Exchange and retain the Register Office.

In a joint statement with fellow ward councillor and Rochester MP Kelly Tolhurst, Mayor Stuart Tranter said: "As ward councillors for Rochester West, we are deeply concerned about the proposal to allow the Corn Exchange to be run by a third party, who is expected to not only pay rent and insure the building, but must also make enough profit to carry our extensive repairs and improvements over a long period.

"This important building has been in public ownership for hundreds of years. Any money the building can make over and above its operating costs should go towards its own repairs, not into the pocket of a private sector operator.

"Having looked at this in detail, there is not enough margin to do both. And that puts the building at risk, or forces liability back onto the council who in turn may feel obliged to sell the building.

"We believe the council should retain control, improve the operation, and over time put the financial contributions it makes back into the building for the benefit of Medway people."