Fears for future of brass band over rent increase

Royston Town Band was formed in the mid-1800s

Members of a brass band are calling for greater security for its future after a council proposed an increase in the rent its pays to use a practice room.

Royston Town Band has been told by Hertfordshire County Council that its payments could go up from £500 per year to £7,385.

The band - founded 160 years ago - said it may have to charge more to play at local events or move to a different venue to practise.

The council said it was working on an affordable solution.

The practice room opened in 2015 following a large fundraising appeal

Royston Town Band, formed in the mid 1800s, regularly hosts concerts, performs at fetes and develops budding musicians.

The practice room on Tannery Drift, close to the town's fire station, is owned by the band, but the council owns the land as it forms part of a school playing field.

The authority said it was reviewing its long-standing policy of offering a 90% discount on rent to community and voluntary groups to "ensure it is consistently applied" and "offers good value for public money".

A spokesperson added: "Any rent increase will not be implemented while this review is ongoing and we are sorry this was not made clear to Royston Town Band.

"No final decisions have been made on the terms of the band's lease renewal and we will work with them to find an affordable solution." 

Chair of the band, Charmian Flowerday, says they may have to move to another site

The band's chair, Charmian Flowerday, said: "We know local authorities are underfunded... but that sort of increase we just wouldn't be able to afoot.

"We provide a service to local people so all we want is the security of a long lease at a reasonable rate."

More than 2,500 people have signed a petition calling on the council to continue offering its discounted rates.