A SIGN of the time at Northwich Memorial Hall will be saved for the future.

Guardian readers were concerned that the clock by the front entrance to the hall, which played host to gigs from the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Tom Jones in its heyday, would be bulldozed and written off as rubble during demolition of the hall.

But it could be used in the new Memorial Court being planned by Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC).

Northwich man Peter Cross said: “Having discussed the demolition of the memorial hall with friends and family, everyone said how iconic of the building the clock is and how it should be preserved and incorporated into Memorial Court somehow.

“No-one has heard any mention of this in the plans.”

He added: “I know what an emotive issue the demolition is with some locals, preserving a piece of the building may go some way to easing the pain.”

But Clr Stuart Parker, CWAC’s executive member for culture, confirmed that the clock, as well as other memorabilia, will be saved.

“The contractors have been instructed to remove both the clock and the lettering from the front of the hall with great care,” he said.

“We will be investigating the possibility of including both the clock, the lettering and memorial plaques, which were removed from the inside of the building, in the new building or in the memorial garden at the back.”

CWAC has set aside £12.5million for Memorial Court, which will include a performance and events hall, swimming pool, dance studio, gym and cafe.

Plans for the facility have been submitted and are set to be discussed by CWAC’s strategic planning committee on September 19.