£1.8 million boost for Borough Hall renovation plan

Published Wednesday, 3rd March 2021

Council officials have welcomed Government funding of £1.8 million that will see Hartlepool’s historic Borough Hall transformed into a venue for cultural and creative activities, events and performances.

Funding had already been identified for a first phase of improvements, but this additional money – announced as part of today’s Budget – is a further boost for the 155-year-old building, bringing the total proposed spend to around £3 million.

Councillor Shane Moore, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “This is great news and a massive boost for the Headland and the town as a whole.

“The Borough Hall is an iconic building, but unfortunately it is showing its age and is in need of urgent renovation.”

The areas of the building to be improved include:

  • The entrance and bar areas
  • The main hall and associated performance elements
  • Backstage facilities

Other key rooms in the remainder of the Hall are also to be refurbished, with more details of the improvements to be announced in due course.

Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, Chair of the Council’s Economic Growth and Regeneration Committee, added: “The additional funding is great news and I look forward to the reimagining of this landmark building. There’s nothing quite like the buzz and excitement of watching a live performance in a beautiful and historic venue like the Borough Hall.”

Councillor Sue Little, the Council’s Policy Chair for Culture, also welcomed the funding, saying: “We have some really exciting plans for the building which we hope will inspire existing audiences and introduce more people to the wonderful world of culture.

A date for work to begin on site is still to be finalised, and the Council intends to liaise closely with local groups and organisations that currently use the Borough Hall on a regular basis.