Canterbury City Council has stopped marketing the King’s Hall on property websites as it continues to try to increase its revenue.

The authority had been “testing the market” as it considered several options to reduce the £250,000 of taxpayers’ money used to subsidise it.

A number of alternative ways to run the venue have been assessed, including having the council manage it in partnership with a community body, using it as a village hall, renting it, selling it and closing it.

A report on this was due to be considered by councillors at the next community committee meeting, but it was determined that more detail was needed; delaying a final decision until the autumn.

Its chairman, Cllr Neil Baker, has hinted the building could be marketed again though.

"By introducing some breathing space to the process, we can carry on talking to community groups while they develop their plans, talk to potential business partners or those interested in buying it," he said.

"In the meantime, the team is determined to pull together one of its best ever programmes in order to attract audiences.

"A facility like the King’s Hall will always struggle without some level of subsidy but our aim is to reduce that as far as we can and that’s what’s driving the options we’re considering.

"One of the best ways to secure the King’s Hall’s future is to use it. If you’ve not been for a while, give it another try and let us know what you think so we can make it better."

An advert for the King's Hall appeared on a London property consultant's website before Christmas. It offered the building for sale or rent and suggested the possibility of redevelopment.

Doreen Stone, chairman of the Herne Bay Pier Trust, feared the venue would be snapped up by outside buyers after the council held viewings for it in January.

She instead wanted it to be run by the Friends of the King’s Hall, which operates closely with the pier trust.

Although Ms Stone now believes that, by delaying its decision until the autumn, the council is trying to resolve the venue's financial woes itself.

"The council’s given it a chance and I think it might pull it off," she said.

"If it doesn’t work, the Friends of the King’s Hall will be saying ‘let us have a go’."

Over the past 12 months, there have been 21 more events held at the venue than in the previous year and a 182% increase in footfall – from 2,936 to 8,283.

The authority is looking to revamp the food and drink served there and to extend its opening hours.

The King’s Hall has been council-owned for more than 100 years.