'Final stages' - Scaffold will remain up at Jarrow's historic town hall for 'the coming weeks'

Scaffold will be up for a number of weeks at the historic Jarrow Town Hall with vital maintenance work being carried out on the grade II listed building.

In May the Gazette reported that repairs would address “health and safety concerns” and would ensure the "long-term protection of the building". The scaffold will be removed “in the coming weeks” and cost of the work has not been revealed.

The council lodged an application with its own planning department to seek permission for external brickwork repairs. Listed building consent was also necessary.

A South Tyneside Council spokesperson said: “Maintenance works at Jarrow Town Hall are ongoing as part of a programme to protect the long-term condition of the building.

“The project includes works to brickwork and mortar joints, removal of any failed render, works to parts of the chimney and gable wall, clearance of vegetation, and maintenance to gutters and downpipes.

“Listed building consent was obtained for the scheme, and we are currently working through the associated conditions, which will be signed off once the works are complete.

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“The scaffolding is to remain in place while the final stages of the project are carried out and is expected to be removed in the coming weeks.”

Essential work on South Shields Town Hall’s clock is also underway.

The town hall’s foundation stone was laid on October 9, 1902 by Lady Gertrude Palmer, wife of Sir Charles Palmer, the shipping magnate whose statue stands opposite on Grange Road and who was Jarrow’s the time.

The town hall was completed in 1904 when it was officially opened by Charles Palmer himself.

It is perhaps best known outside the area as the starting point of the Jarrow March on October 5, 1936.