There is no financial or moral case for keeping Queenborough’s Borough Hall in public ownership, says the leader of Swale council.

The authority's ruling cabinet is expected to give the go-ahead for the venue to be sold at auction, having concluded it is no longer viable to run it.

An application from Queenborough Town Council to take on the hall has been rejected.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s meeting, Cllr Andrew Bowles, said: “I think it’s outdated now.

“It’s better that public money goes into supporting modern facilities.

“I think it’s the end for very expensive to run, non-energy efficient buildings. I don’t think the public or voluntary sector can afford to subsidise them.

“I don’t think we can make a financial case or a moral case.”

Nearby Castle Connections had been successful, he said, and taken trade away from the hall, while new community facilities would replace the Rushenden Gateway, he added.

“With the best will in the world I cannot see there’s business there to support three facilities.”

If sold, Cllr Bowles said he would not rule out the hall becoming housing and could not see the point of protecting it from demolition, adding: “We have a high percentage of listed buildings in this borough.

“Any building not listed has been judged not worthy as such.”

Queenborough Town Council has written to Swale to ask it to defer the decision to sell the hall at auction.

Town councillor Sue Simpson said: “The hall is an important community asset.

“If you go back through generations of island people the hall was used for weddings and parties.

“It’s only over the last few years it has appeared to have deteriorated. The price went up and it’s priced itself out of the market.”

The town council had been approached by a number of groups offering to help set up a management committee and run it as a charity.

Swale’s cabinet will discuss the matter at Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne, at 7pm tonight (Wednesday).