City Hall in Salisbury remains closed for the foreseeable future until it is deemed safe and financially viable to reopen, subject to councillors’ decision.

The current programme of events was to begin again next year, but Wiltshire Council is now considering reopening the venue ‘when the industry is on a surer footing’.

Full refunds on tickets are promised.

A council statement said: “With COVID-19 putting increased financial pressures on the council it was deemed the most sensible option to take now to remove any immediate uncertainty.”

The council’s cabinet made the decision on October 13 but is subject to a councillor call-in period, ending on October 22.

Staff affected have been kept fully informed and some will be redeployed where possible.

They will contact customers to arrange refunds on performances, and people need not request refunds or make contact.