Town Hall should become a casino, councillor says

Birkenhead Town Hall is currently closed following budget cuts

A town hall should become a casino "where the women get dressed up in ball gowns and the men wear tuxedos", a councillor suggested before later withdrawing her comments.

Seeking to save money, Wirral Council is considering the future of both Birkenhead Town Hall and Wallasey Town Hall.

Councillor Kathy Hodson suggested turning Birkenhead Town Hall into a gambling venue would be "a brilliant idea" which "would make money" and "bring people in".

Other councillors expressed concerns about the dangers of gambling addiction before the local authority's leader Paula Basnett said all options would be explored.

'Something nice, not seedy'

Birkenhead Town Hall is currently closed due to budget cuts.

Wirral Council said there was interest in using the town hall on Hamilton Square for a wide range of activities, from office space to being a venue for live music and weddings.

At a meeting on Wednesday, councillors approved £4.3m needed for repairs to both town halls.

The council is also considering the future of the Mallory and Irvine buildings in the Birkenhead Commercial District.

Councillors Tony Murphy and Graeme Cooper raised concerns about gambling addiction.

Murphy said: "I think we would have to take a cautious approach."

Hodson said she meant a casino "where the women get dressed up in ball gowns and the men wear tuxedos and you have food and drink," adding: "Something that would be nice, I didn't mean anything seedy."