A SWATHE of public disapproval has prompted the local authority to change the colour scheme of Ashburton Town Hall – before the refurbished building has even been officially reopened.

Since the hall opened its doors to people last month for a preview, the town council has been bombarded with letters objecting to the bright orange paint adorning the entrance, staircase and main hall.

One letter, from Tracey Lowrey, of Dolbeare, Ashburton, said the facility looked more like a Mexican tequila bar than a town hall.

She added: 'The staircase looks small and enclosed, the main hall looks dark and dismal.

'Ashburton Town Hall is a Grade II listed building. Surely it should have been decorated with this in mind? Any neutral colour would have sufficed.'

Such reservations were addressed by members at Tuesday's town council annual meeting and, after 30 minutes of debate, it was decided that the colour scheme would be changed to a 'neutral' magnolia.

Town clerk John Germon, pictured above, guessed that such a makeover would cost about £4,000.

Mr Germon told the council that a total of 20 letters of objection to the orange paint had been received along with a petition containing about 30 signatures.

He confirmed that one wedding party, which booked the town hall, had pulled out because of the colour scheme.

Another letter sent to the town council said: 'I'm having a wedding, can you tell me if the colour scheme is staying?'

Cllr Andrew Prince commented: 'I think we need to repaint due to the overwhelming response from the letters.'

Former mayor Cllr Tony Pugh took some positives from the public reaction.

'If people feel we have made one mistake in a £300,000 makeover – then we've really not done too bad,' he said.

Towards the end of the lengthy discussion on what colour to use, Cllr Jonathan Richards proposed magnolia.

'Magnolia is as neutral as you're going to get,' he said.

This was seconded by Cllr Michael Posner and unanimously agreed upon by members.