HAPPY couples could soon be allowed to get married in one of Worcester’s landmark buildings as council chiefs seek to boost income.

Managers are currently exploring the possibility of registering the historic Guildhall for weddings, civil partnerships and couples who want to renew vows.

It all hinges on whether those events will generate enough income for the city council but assuming the business case comes back with an ‘I do’ answer then couples could be celebrating their special occasions in the building, which dates back to 1721, as early as this spring.

At a meeting of the performance management and budget scrutiny committee Doreen Porter, head of legal and democratic services, said: “The Guildhall manager is in the process of putting the business case together at the moment.

“If it looks like it’s going to involve a sufficient income at a relatively minor outlay then we could be in the position of advertising the Guildhall for these type of events early next financial year, so April/May time.”

Councillor Lucy Hodgson, cabinet member for customer service and communications, said this proposal had been made possible as a result of the recent refurbishment of furniture in the Guildhall – we reported in September how 11 tables and 36 chairs in the chamber had been given a new lease of life at a cost of £6,965 – as well as work on the kitchen a couple of years ago.

“This won’t cost us lots of time and money and it will make the best use of what we have now,” she said.

Chiefs have indicated services would take place in the chamber which is situated on the first floor and just off the grand assembly room – described as “a handsome gallery” by King George III during a visit in 1788.

The current cost of hiring out the chamber is £117 but that is for a meeting or seminar so there could be a different price for weddings and other services.

The current cost of hiring out the assembly room for a catering function can vary from £101 to £396 depending on the number of guests who are attending.

Weddings have been held at the Guildhall before. It was once home to the register office – former city mayor Councillor Andy Roberts got married there.