IN a surprise move, borough cabinet members have voted to retain Romsey’s magistrates’ court’s name.

It had looked like the name would disappear forever after council leader, Ian Carr, proposed re-christening it “Jubilee Court”.

But the idea sparked outcry from Romsey’s mayor, Mark Cooper, who said that if the building had to be renamed, it should become Elizabeth Court.

Mr Carr said after the decision was taken last week to retain the name: “Having considered all suggestions received for the renaming, the cabinet agreed to retain the existing name.

“Residents are familiar with the building being referred to as the former magistrates’ court and it is, of course, the name over the door. As a result, members recommended the status quo to avoid unnecessary confusion.”

Test Valley’s customer services department will transfer to the old magistrates’ court in February, when the authority’s Duttons Road offices shut for good. The site is currently on the market for either sale or rent.

Hampshire’s Social Services will also have a drop-in centre at the old court building.

And from next month, all southern area planning committee meetings and other Romsey-based committee meetings, which are currently staged at Duttons Road, will be held at the Crosfield Hall, which has undergone a £120,000 revamp.