THE future of Walkden's best-known function hall still hangs in the balance.

Negotiations are ongoing over what will happen to the Pembroke Halls when it is earmarked to close as a council-run venue at the end of March 2001.

As revealed in the BEN, Salford Council has decided to shut the halls as part of its cost-cutting exercise.

Bookings are still being taken until the start of next April with the hope that the venue can be sold as a going concern.

But, if no agreement can be reached, the doors will close, and could spell redundancies for dozens of employees.

This comes just two years after £1 million was spent refurbishing the halls after a blaze swept through the building.

Councillors say they remain optimistic that there will be no need for compulsory redundancies.

And, as they have previously revealed, discussions surrounding Pembroke Halls are linked with those taking place on the redevelopment of the surrounding Walkden shopping centre. However, the uncertainty is still plaguing staff.

A council spokesman said: "People think we may be winding down but until March 31 we are still inviting new bookings.

"The hope is for someone else to take the halls over. But no decision on whether that will happen or who that might be has yet been made."

As previously revealed in the BEN, unconfirmed rumours point to the owners of the Walkden shopping centre buying it.

The council made its decision to shut Pembroke Halls, together with the Lancastrian Hall in Swinton, as part of its cost-cutting measures.

Worsley Courthouse and Buile Hill Banqueting Suite had also originally been earmarked for closure but a business plan is now being drawn up to ensure they both stay open.