'Potent symbol' of town's past set for new life
Middlesbrough CouncilA symbol of a town's "Victorian heyday" is being shown off to visitors as part of an event detailing the area's history.
Built in 1846, Middlesbrough's Old Town Hall has fallen into disrepair having been closed for almost 30 years.
It was replaced as the area's town hall in the 1880s, but went on to be used as a community centre and library.
Two tours around the perimeter of the building are being held later as part of Middlesbrough's Local History Month.
Middlesbrough Council described the hall as a "potent symbol of the town's Victorian heyday which saw it flourish as a powerhouse of the industrial revolution".
However, the area's rapid expansion saw the population's needs outgrow the building, according to Claire Bell, the local authority's capital development manager.
"At one point it was the heart of civic life within the town, but a bigger town hall was later built and is the one we still use.
"The original was still used for a variety of functions, but it closed in 1996.
"It's in quite a state of disrepair and was added to the Save Britain's Heritage at-risk register in 2018, but because it's Grade II listed the council has always had an intention to make sure it was restored and repaired."
Sitting between the town's Transporter Bridge and the Boho X offices in an area known to many as St Hilda's and others as Middlehaven, it is envisaged it could be brought back into use as a digital hub for start-up companies by October next year.
Middlesbrough CouncilThe council has been awarded £4.5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund as well as a further £1.8m by the government.
"We haven't got a contractor yet, but we anticipate we'll be on site in the autumn," Ms Bell explained.
"We've got a strong digital cohort coming through Teesside University and we want to provide the opportunity for them to stay here and get a foot on the business ladder."
More information about the structure, including a timeline and video, is available on the council's website.