CATERHAM'S iconic Soper Hall could become a popular wedding venue, under plans from its new board of directors.
The imposing community building in Harestone Valley Road has been through a turbulent spell recently, including low bookings and mass resignations from its management.
But now hopes are growing that a new initiative could give the 103-year-old hall a new lease of life.
This summer seven directors resigned and two more were dismissed
And it emerged that the building, which lacks soundproofing or a licensed bar, had a bookings rate of only 15 per cent.
Since then a fresh crop of directors have been appointed.
New appointee Lorena Oberg, who owns a salon under her name in Croydon Road, Caterham, said: "Soper Hall is beautiful and historic, and would be an amazing place for weddings.
"If this idea takes off, it would boost business for the town's florists, caterers and the like, and would also help secure the building's future."
She said Soper Hall needed better marketing because it was little known to many residents locally.
Mrs Oberg added: "We are carrying out a feasibility study over the next few weeks to see if this idea can take off.
"I'm passionate about helping to make this building a success."
Another director, Beverley Connolly, said the nearest register office is 15 miles away in Leatherhead, and the civil ceremony sites in Tandridge may be prohibitively expensive for some.
She added: "This is an attractive characterful building which we want to make viable.
"Soper Hall is one of the few remaining heritage sites in Caterham, and we should treasure it."
Mrs Connolly said the proposal had already received a "huge wave of support" on The Caterham Page Facebook site.
