Potential demolition of the Brunton Hall 'devastating news'

A crunch debate will take place next week over a proposal to knock down the community building, which was officially opened by the Queen Mother on June 23, 1971, but is now said to be “unaffordable” to make safe for future use.

Councillors are recommended to agree that temporary alternative arrangements for service delivery be put in place, including the relocation of council services to alternative locations.

Significant parts of the Brunton Hall remain out of use due to the presence of RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete), including The Brunton theatre, which closed 18 months ago after the potentially unsafe building material was discovered.

A report on the condition of the building will be presented at Tuesday’s full meeting of East Lothian Council.

READ MORE: Council intends to demolish the Brunton Hall

Councillors will be asked to note “significant structural issues, the condition of RAAC roof panels, the challenges of maintaining statutory compliance and the poor working environment at the Brunton Hall”.

Andrew Coulson, chair of Musselburgh Conservation Society, commented: “This is devastating news for everyone who relies on the many vital council services which are housed in the Brunton Hall, and which can currently be accessed easily by local people.

“The closure and possible demolition of a much-loved venue for music, comedy, cinema, panto, and countless other forms of entertainment will be met with anger and shock, both by thousands of local residents and by the many people who come from farther afield. It is essential that East Lothian Council now looks to the future and formulates a plan to ensure that key services continue to be provided locally, without the need to travel.

“The requirement for a permanent venue for the arts in East Lothian’s biggest town is also a hugely important one, which cannot simply be denied due to budgetary constraints.”

Irene Tait, Musselburgh & Inveresk Community Council chair, said that the group had been “expecting something like this”.

“This has been a long time coming as, having listened to our community, the uncertainty has been full of rumours and speculation,” she said.

“We are aware The Brunton is a huge footprint. What was required back in the day when it was a new build is no longer what we require of a building. So, taking onboard our feedback, the community council has suggested to Mr Reid that if this building needs to be demolished, the community would expect the replacement to house a theatre that compares with Venue One and also a large hall for functions.

“East Lothian Council maintains specialised services from the Brunton Hall which are important to our community and beyond. We would hope that they will be rehoused in any new build that replaced The Brunton. We will also require a social meeting place similar to the Bistro where people come to meet or simply just have a seat.

“For many years, The Brunton has been at the heart of this community – it’s our hub. It is our wish that, going forward, this will always be the case.”

'Determined the show will go on'

Michael Stitt, chair of Brunton Theatre Trust, said: “We are pleased to see that, after much delay, the options for the future of the much-loved Brunton Hall have been tabled for discussion on October 29.

“For decades, the Brunton Hall and the Brunton Theatre Trust have played a key role in supporting Musselburgh and East Lothian economically, socially, educationally and culturally – making world-class arts, entertainment and creative learning accessible to all and attracting visitors who invest in local businesses nearby when they’re here.

“We stand with the community of Musselburgh, East Lothian and beyond and have asked the local authority to reinstate the critical support withheld last year. We are determined that the show will go on for the people of East Lothian and we hope that the upcoming decision by council members will give us the clarity and funding we need to drive forward.

“Our incredibly resilient team has already navigated around the restrictions and closures to ensure audiences continue to be entertained through a variety of events and educational initiatives.

“However, as we operate on a reduced income while our main venue remains closed and East Lothian Council decided to reduce our funding by almost 50 per cent this year, we have unexpectedly had to use a large amount of our carefully managed reserves to keep going. We are now in a very difficult financial situation and urgently need support from East Lothian Council, Creative Scotland, the Scottish Government, and the public to ensure we can continue to deliver the same level of high-quality arts, culture and entertainment events and education projects.”

'Severe blow'

Gaynor Allen, chair of Musselburgh Area Partnership, said: "I share the deep disappointment and concern that many of our residents are feeling following the decision to mothball the Brunton Hall.

"For decades, the theatre, bistro and arts services have been at the heart of our town, providing vital spaces for creativity, community events and social gatherings.

"Losing these services is a severe blow to Musselburgh and it compounds the loss of other cherished facilities such as the Old Town Hall, Stoneyhill Community Centre and  Eskgreen nursing home.

"Our community now faces a worrying shortage of public spaces and, understandably, many are angry and frustrated. While East Lothian Council 'proposes to undertake a place-based project, which would include public consultation, to prepare new viable options for future service delivery, including accommodating the arts in the Musselburgh area', it is no surprise that many residents are sceptical. In the last 18 months, despite the area partnership repeatedly seeking updates on these matters, we have seen a distinct lack of meaningful communication and action.

"The community deserves more than vague promises. We need real plans, clear timelines and meaningful engagement to restore trust. Our residents have every right to be heard and to expect action that reflects the value they place on the spaces that have been lost. 

"I urge the council to move beyond statements and to provide the clarity and commitment that Musselburgh deserves. This is not just about buildings; it’s about the fabric of our community and the public spaces that allow it to thrive. 

"Musselburgh deserves nothing less."

Colin Beattie, Musselburgh’s MSP, said: “I am incredibly disappointed that East Lothian Council are recommending mothballing The Brunton, with a potential view to demolition. This would be a serious setback for Musselburgh and the surrounding area.

“I would urge all councillors to consider the impact, both short and long-term, of this before making their decisions. I appreciate that there are cost implications but the cost to our communities would be far greater than the financial ones.”

'So disappointed'

Chris Murray, the town’s MP, added: “I know how much The Brunton means to local people. I was so disappointed to hear about its mothballing and potential demolition, as I’m sure everyone in the town is.

“I will always fight to ensure the voice of local people is heard. The Brunton is our asset – and your voice matters for its future. I will be working hard to ensure the council engages meaningfully and listens to local people before any decisions are taken.”

Douglas Alexander, Lothian East MP, said: “I know how important the Brunton Hall and theatre have been to the community and to the whole of East Lothian over the years.

“However, there are clearly very serious problems with the fabric of the building, and I understand difficult decisions will have to be made on its future. I will be discussing this with representatives of the council and my colleague Chris Murray.”

The Brunton Hall was built to meet the needs of people “living in an age of ever-increasing recreation and leisure activity”.

It was funded with a £700,000 bequest from the late John D Brunton, son of the Brunton Wire Works founder, who died in 1951.