Auditorium closed over safety reasons

The Grade II-listed building was temporarily closed in 2024 after problems were discovered in its plaster ceilings

A town hall's main auditorium has been closed for health and safety reasons.

Inspection work in preparation for further development of Hartlepool Borough Hall identified that "further important work will be required", the council said, and it was not yet known how long this would take.

The remainder of the building, including the wedding suite and the Headland Library, will continue to operate as normal.

Hartlepool Borough Council said organisations with events booked in the venue were in the process of being contacted, and apologised for any inconvenience and disappointment caused.

The venue was set to host Hartlepool Folk Festival at the beginning of October.

Organisers said in a statement: "This is obviously devastating news, and means that some rapid exploration of alternative options has taken place.

"Mainstage concerts will now take place at the Town Hall Theatre...this is not on the Headland site, which I realise is a huge disappointment.

"We will be running extra buses over a longer period each day to move visitors between the theatre and our Headland home.

"Other details are still being worked out, so please bear with us as we confirm the full logistics."

The hall was shut last year after problems were discovered with its plaster ceilings.