The Brunton Hall will close its doors for the last time next month as the last East Lothian Council services leave the condemned building.
The Brunton Theatre, in Musselburgh, was opened by the late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother in 1971 and was home to the town’s annual pantomime for decades as well as staging famous productions and local theatre group performances.
But the theatre closed in 2023 after Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) was found to have been used in its construction.
Some offices in the building used by East Lothian Council have remained in use with The Brunton Theatre moving to a new temporary home in Haddington Corn Exchange.
Now the entire building will shut officially on August 27 after the last of the services move to new premises in Musselburgh High Street.
East Lothian Council approved plans to demolish the building last year but faced protests from local campaigners who urged Historic Environment Scotland (HES) to give the brutalist building protected Listed Building status.
However HES ruled the plans for its replacement were too far along to step in while acknowledging it was a building of ‘special interest’.
RAAC was used as a lighter and cheaper alternative to standard concrete during construction between the 1950s and 1990s in public buildings and housing across Scotland but it’s predicted lifespan of 30 years has caused safety concern.
The discovery of it in the roof tiles of The Brunton led to its closure with the council saying the cost of repairs were too high to make it viable and demolition was the only option.
A statutory consultation is expected to take place in the near future over plans for its replacement.
The local authority said its Musselburgh customer services and community housing teams which remain in the Brunton will move to their new offices in the former Citizens Advice Bureau which will open on August 27, when the hall will formally close its doors.
A justice social work team also working in the building will move to the town’s Fisherrow Centre earlier in the month.
Council leader Norman Hampshire said: “Many people will be very sad to see the Brunton Hall, which has played such a key role at the heart of Musselburgh since 1971, close its doors. It was a decision which was incredibly difficult to take.
“But we remain ambitious for bringing forward a new affordable facility to replace the Brunton Hall that reflects and enhances the building’s significant legacy in a space that is fit for the future with community, art and culture at its heart.”
By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
