Approval given for City Hall plan

The refurbishment of the City Hall will start in May

Planning permission has been given for part of the planned refurbishment of the City Hall in Sheffield.

The Memorial Hall, at the rear of the building, is to get a new stage and seats as well as better acoustics.

This is the initial stage of a planned package of work costing £12.6m which will see improvements made to all parts of the 1930s building.

Councillors also agreed to the installation of new staircases either side of the main entrance foyer.

It is expected the City Hall will close in May for the restoration work and reopen in September 2005.