Martin wants Pump Room to stay public (Cheltenham Liberal Democrats)

Cheltenham Liberal Democrats <info@cheltlibdems.org.uk>

Martin wants Pump Room to stay public

January 3, 2007 5:22 PM

Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood has received a petition from campaigners fighting the Tory Borough Council's plans to sell off Pittville Pump Room as a restaurant or hotel. Supporters included representatives of the Music Society and Festival Society.

"This wasn't an issue when the Lib Dems were running the council" said Martin. "It does cost money to keep a lovely historic building like this open to the public but the Pump Room is central to Cheltenham's history, it's part of one of our loveliest and most popular parks and I'm sure it earns its keep attracting people to the Music Festival on top of the other events held here. Music enthusiasts tell me it's one of the finest chamber music venues in Europe. It belongs to the town."

Martin confirmed he would happily support any scheme the Council suggested that kept the building open to everyone and not spoiled for musicians. "Those should be the priorities, not the money" he said.