Deal agreed for Thornaby Town Hall owner after 44 years

The town hall has been largely out of use since 1968

The future of a Grade II-listed Teesside town hall looks brighter after a deal for a new owner was agreed.

Members of Stockton Council's Cabinet approved the purchase of the freehold of the 120-year-old Thornaby Town Hall, to Thornaby Town Council.

The building has been largely unoccupied for more than 40 years.

The town council's plan is to revamp it for a range of community and commercial uses. It will be applying to various bodies for funds.

Among its plans are for council use, a heritage centre and apartments, with the aim of the work to reflect the heritage of the building.

Thornaby Town Council chairman, Councillor Ian Dalgarno, said: "Thornaby Town Hall is coming back to where it belongs, to the people of Thornaby."

Much of the building has not been used since the former Thornaby-on-Tees Borough Council ceased to exist in 1968.

Stockton Council has carried out roof repairs but said substantial investment was needed to restore it.