Theatre and hall shut over ceiling fears

Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre will close temporarily

A theatre and a hall have been closed after problems were discovered with their plaster ceilings.

Issues were found at Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre and the Borough Hall following an assessment of the ceilings last week.

Further investigatory works will be carried out over the next month.

The council said there were no set dates for the venues to be reopened but added weddings booked in at the Borough Hall are safe to go ahead.

Councillor Mike Young, leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: "Initial assessments undertaken by specialists have took place over the last week or so and have assessed the current condition of the plaster ceilings at these venues.

"As a result of this a number of issues found now require more detailed investigations.

"A temporary closure is our only option at the current time."

The Borough Hall has been closed but its wedding venue remains open

Those who have booked tickets for events via the Creative Hartlepool Box Office will receive refunds automatically over the next two weeks.

The Creative Hartlepool team will contact ticket holders if shows have been postponed.