WINCHESTER City Council is shaking up its marketing department to try and boost business at the Guildhall.

Experts from the council’s tourism department are being drafted to work on improving the buildings marketing for conferences and functions.

Councillors heard the plans at a scrutiny meeting on Monday (Jan 23) after debating the venues financial return following its £3.2m revamp in 2010.

Cllr Simon Cook said the Guildhall had not made enough money since it was refurbished and asked if marketing experts were being brought in.

Cllr George Beckett, council leader, said: “Personally I’m a little disappointed with the performance of the Guildhall. But luckily we have a very good team of marketing people who have been involved in the tourism office in the city.

“Officers suggested that maybe that team had an opportunity to promote the Guildhall in the way that the Guildhall staff could not because they don’t have the expertise.”

He added: “I hope we get back on track to larger revenue from the Guildhall and I think this is a way of doing that using the skills we have available.”

Council chief executive Simon Eden added: “We have professional marketing experts within the council and we thought we should use them.”