Work begins on £6.3m old town hall restoration

Restoration work on a historic Grade II listed town hall has begun.

Middlesbrough's Old Town Hall, which was opened in 1846 and has been closed since 1996, will be undergoing a £6.3m refurbishment over the next 12 months.

The original clock tower will be restored and the building converted into office space for digital businesses, while a 1970s extension is set to be demolished.

Councillor Theo Furness, executive member for development at Middlesbrough Council, said the Old Town Hall was "one of the real icons" of the town's history and he was delighted to see it being brought back into use.

He said: "It's been a key feature of the town's skyline for 180 years, and these ambitious plans will ensure it continues to play an important role in the life of the town for many decades to come.

"The Old Town Hall is both a potent symbol of Middlesbrough's industrial heyday, and of the boundless ambition and aspiration we have for the future."

The restoration is being led by Middlesbrough Council with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The Old Town Hall has had a range of uses and was most recently used as a library and community centre before closing in 1996.

The restoration work should be completed in time for Middlesbrough's bicentenary celebrations in 2028.

Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said the building was a reminder of the town's industrial heyday and would "continue as a striking focal point of modern-day Middlehaven".

Louise Sutherland, head of engagement for the north of England at the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said it was "fantastic" to see the project progressing.

"The future of this amazing building will be secured by bringing it back into use and engaging local communities with its important heritage, " she said.

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