The future of the long-vacant cinema building in Ringwood's Market Place may finally be decided.

The structure, originally the Town Hall and Corn Exchange in 1868, later served as a cinema, shopping centre, and nightclub.

It saw major concerts in the 1960s from bands such as Status Quo. Yet, despite various plans, it has remained unused throughout this century.

Halo Developments, its new owners, aspire to change this. Local historian Mary Baldwin will recount the building's complex past in a talk, "From Corn to Popcorn", on behalf of The Ringwood Society.

The Society, now over six decades old, was created following the demolition of Market Place's last historic residential building.

It works to shield the unique allure of Ringwood through the promotion of high-quality design that harmonises the old structures with the modern town necessities.

Ms Baldwin said: "Maybe this time something will happen. When people are making decisions about the future of the structure, what is probably the most important unlisted building in the town, I believe it will be important to first understand its past."

The talk will take place at Greyfriars Community Centre at 7.30pm on July 16. Tickets are priced £5.