Statement from Newcastle City Council on the future of City Hall
Newcastle City Council have released the following statement in response to reports that Newcastle's City Hall, which had been under fear of closure, is safe and that it has a new owner.
"We can confirm that we have been in discussions with the Theatre Royal Trust with a view to the theatre taking over the management of the City Hall.
Conversations are still at an early stage and a lot more work has yet to be done but we remain optimistic about a positive outcome.”
There are reports that Newcastle's City Hall, which had been under fear of closure, is safe and that it has a new owner.
It is understood that the Theatre Royal has struck a deal with the music venue in the city and an official announcement on the development is expected tomorrow.
Neither the Theatre Royal nor Newcastle City Council would comment tonight.
"We haven't made a proposal to close the City Hall, yet"
Tony McKenna, head of leisure services for Newcastle City Council, says that there is no definitive proposal to close the City Hall in Newcastle and that the council are reviewing the hall's services.
The full text of the petition to save Newcastle City Hall reads as follows:
To:
Newcastle City Council, Nick Forbes, Leader of Newcastle City Council
Save Newcastle City Hall
We the undersigned, ask Newcastle City Council to recognise the historic importance of Newcastle City Hall and to ensure that the building is protected and remains an important cultural centre for Newcastle's people in the future.