ANY signs of lack of commitment by businesses could affect a bid for cash to revamp Yarm Town Hall.

Traders have been told that the £85,000 scheme could hit snags if funding bodies feel the community is not pulling its weight.

Part of the problem may be that Yarm suffers from an affluent image.

Stockton Council's historic buildings officer, Bryan Harris, did not pull any punches when he talked to councillors and traders at a meeting on Monday.

He said he had met Heritage Lottery Fund representatives who in principle accepted the scheme had merit.

"They were not 100pc sold because the building is not dilapidated, but they accept there is a community benefit to offset that," he said.

"But the possibility of a lack of local commitment regarding finance could be a problem. A fairly large proportion would be needed, and the Heritage Lottery is looking to full commitment from local businesses.

"They perceive Yarm as being affluent, with businesses doing well out of the area, and they want to explore cash or contributions in kind. To some extent, Yarm is suffering from its own image.

"But in reality, one or two people may be doing well, but most are in the same boat as everyone else."

Mr Harris said it was felt suitable to develop the ground floor of the centuries-old hall. A bid had been made for 90pc of the cost with the rest coming from other sources, such as Stockton Council.

"To the Heritage Lottery, that could indicate a lack of local support and they want to know what's on offer," he said. "If we draw a blank on backing from businesses, we will have to report that.

"It could be a stumbling block if the lottery feels strongly enough about it."

Council chairman Coun Liz Marsden said the level of support for the scheme would have to be assessed. "We will have to circulate information and see what people say," she said.

"We need to talk to various groups and try to gauge local commitment."

Mr Harris suggested the issue might have just gone off the boil since the idea was first mooted 18 months ago. "We perhaps just need to raise the profile a bit," he said.

"We need to let everyone understand it could be a goer," said Coun Marsden.

The scheme would include a community/meeting area with council office and drop-in facilities. A tourist information office could also figure in the plans.

"It is Stockton Council's long-term aim to have a tourist commitment in Yarm, with a manned operation if possible," said Mr Harris.

There would be no public toilets in the new set-up. Existing WCs would be demolished as part of the revamp, and this is posing a separate problem for the town in terms of siting.

Mr Harris said: "We will have to pick that one up from capital reserves. The Heritage Lottery people were negative about the toilets, and we would have to find a site."

The meeting was one of a series being held in a bid to boost links between the town council and the business community, under an initiative spearheaded by the council