No money will be available to refurbish The Colosseum until after the town's two new leisure centres have been built.

That was one of the messages delivered at a meeting on Monday held by Watford Borough Council to discuss the future of the town's famous venue.

The meeting took place in the bar area of The Colosseum, where councillors and officers with responsibility for the building were quizzed by committee members and residents.

Councillor Shirena Counter, portfolio holder for leisure, said that in an ideal scenario she would like The Colosseum to be refurbished and "serving the people of Watford".

Three possible future managers of the Rickmansworth Road venue were suggested by Councillor George Derbyshire: Watford Borough Council, a private company and a not-for-profit organisation.

Councillor Counter, however, was unwilling to say which option she preferred.

"I do not have views," she said.

"It the venue's future went on the backburner because there were things like the leisure centres.

"I do not think it is appropriate to give my views at this stage. We need to decide what we want. My preferred option is the one that will give us the best value for money and it is too early to decide what that is."

Thanks to the continued use of The Colosseum by the BBC Concert Orchestra, the venue's future is secure until April 30, 2008. But after that, there is uncertainty.

Read the full story in Friday's Watford Observer.