Loughborough Town Hall fire damage repair plans revealed

Parts of the town hall roof were damaged by flames from the burning HSBC building

Repairs to Loughborough's fire-damaged town hall will be in a "like-for-like" manner, it has been confirmed.

The Grade II listed building was affected when an HSBC bank branch next door caught fire on 15 March.

The blaze damaged its roof, along with water and smoke damage to other parts of the venue.

Planning documents reveal tiles will be removed to allow workers to access the fire damaged rafters but the building's main features will be unaffected.

The venue was closed for three weeks after the fire

The building dates from 1855 and was turned into a theatre in 1980, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It is a venue for live music, comedy, drama and also hosts the town's annual pantomime, while the building is also home to the Sock art gallery.

As a result of the accidental fire, seats in the main auditorium and other parts of the building had to be thoroughly cleaned and inspections carried out on the ventilation system, heating, electrics and air conditioning, with shows cancelled and the venue not reopening until three weeks after the blaze.

The bank suffered greater damage, with a turret on the grade-II listed building badly affected and considered unsafe.

Police evacuated nearby shops due to smoke billowing along the road and into buildings.

The documents state: "The works will not affect any features visible internally or externally and will be localised to the hidden roof structure."

No detailed timeframe or costs for the work were given but comments on the plans can be made until 31 October.

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].