THE refurbished Market Hill Rooms in Royston were opened on Saturday – and then Royston Town Council decided to increase the hire charges. The mayor, Cllr Lynn Berry, carried-out the opening ceremony in the newly-situated entrance before taking a look aro

THE refurbished Market Hill Rooms in Royston were opened on Saturday - and then Royston Town Council decided to increase the hire charges.

The mayor, Cllr Lynn Berry, carried-out the opening ceremony in the newly-situated entrance before taking a look around a building that in the past months has had an almost £100,000 revamp.

Work has included a new kitchen area, a major re-decoration of the main hall and an entrance for people with disabilities.

Cllr Berry said: "It's all been worthwhile and we are hoping that it will get good use in the future."

Town manager Geraint Burnell said while looking around the building: "It's become an important addition to the town centre."

Members of the town council's finance committee decided on Monday evening to lower the 30 per cent reduction hiring charge for voluntary groups to 15 per cent.

They also approved a move to increase the hiring charge by £2.20-an-hour to £8.60-an-hour.

Councillor Rod Kennedy said: "It's become an upmarket facility and I believe hirers will be expecting to pay more.

"The rebate was in place because the building was in a poor condition," he said.