‘A maritime museum’ - Readers have their say on the future of the South Shields Old Town Hall
Gazette readers have had their say on bringing the South Shields Old Town Hall back into use.
Residents have been revealing what they would like to see the South Shields Old Town Hall used for after a public consultation revealed strong support for revitalising the historic building.
South Tyneside Council invited members of the public to share their views on future uses for the Grade I listed structure earlier this year after it secured funding from the government’s Community Regeneration Partnership fund.
More than 80% of residents who took part in the consultation stated that they would like to the Old Town Hall, which sits in Market Place, to be used as a heritage and history attraction.
Many local businesses have stated that they prefer ideas that would complement the surrounding marketplace, including pop‑up or market space and a café.
Some Shields Gazette readers have expressed their support for a live music venue, a community space, and more whereas others want the building left alone.
This is what you had to say via the Shields Gazette Facebook page:
Maria Wilkinson: “A decent bistro/café and indoor market traders, a live music venue, a food court - so much could be done.”
Matthew Hunt: “Surely it needs to be an arts venue, a museum or some community meeting space.”
Marty Purdy: “Why does it need using? Leave it alone.
“Shine a light on the building to show its beauty.”
Mick Grundy: “Food vans surrounding market place and turn that Old Town Hall into a live music area, like a STACK.”
Valerie Nichol: “Lovely tea room - we are lacking cafés, bars etc. at that end of town.”
Jason Marshall: “Primark.”
Ben Brennan: “Leave it alone.
“If you have use a building, use one of the hundreds of shops that are closed down.”
Alexander Lynch: “A nice restaurant upstairs and a bar downstairs.”
Stephen Cairns: “Should be a maritime museum, especially with the college heading down town.”
Kevin Mccarthy: “I think this town has more important things to worry about.”
Gaz Douglass: “Leave it alone and if you want to create something useful, use the many empty shops in Shields.”
Jason Earley: “Not a coffee shop or restaurant - lots of places for them.”