Historic music venue will remain

Newcastle City Hall was opened in 1927

Music lovers on Tyneside have been promised one of the area's best-known venues is to remain.

Newcastle City Hall was the city's first dedicated concert venue when it opened in 1927.

Many feared it would be lost after Newcastle City Council handed plans for a major revamp of the site to developers.

But council bosses have pledged to retain the Grade II listed building as a concert venue.

It is very suitable for a certain type of concert and will be improved over time

Cllr Tony Flynn

The Council's leader Tony Flynn says the 2,000-seater music venue will be retained whatever happens.

But he confirmed the adjoining swimming pool will go.

Mr Flynn said: "The intimacy and the history of the city hall means that it is very important to the area as a music venue.

"It is very suitable for a certain type of concert and will be improved over time."

'Legal right'

Fr almost 40 years the City Hall hosted concerts by major British Orchestras featuring conductors such as Sir Malcolm Sargent and soloists as Yehudi Menuhin and Kathleen Ferrier.

In addition local choirs and societies hold their annual concerts here and there were celebrity recitals and talks as well as civic functions.

Bruce Springsteen rates the City Hall show in 1981 as one of his three best and both Dire Straits and Elton John insisted on starting world tours at the venue.

Culture capital

Mr Flynn added: "We are building a new Olympic pool about 50-yards down the road and that means we have to do something with the existing baths.

"So we have asked developers what they can do with the site, while retaining the music venue."

But the city council's Liberal Democrat spokesman Greg Stone says the council will not be able to resist a big-money scheme that does not include a concert venue.

He said: "The council has a legal right to take the best deal possible from developers and this may not include a music venue.

"It is vital we retain the City Hall as a prime venue if we are to win Capital of Culture status in 2008."