A PETITION has been launched calling for the Brunton Hall in Musselburgh to be replaced with a new theatre and arts facility should it be demolished.

A crunch debate will take place tomorrow (Tuesday) 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.

READ MORE: Council intends to demolish the Brunton Hall

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 a full meeting of East Lothian Council tomorrow.

The online petition, launched by Mark Becher, a Longniddry resident and member of Musselburgh Amateur Musical Association (MAMA), said that The Brunton had been "the beating heart of arts and theatre" in East Lothian for decades and raised concerns that the county would become "a cultural wasteland" unless it continued to have a centre dedicated to the promotion of the arts.

The petition has attracted more than 700 signatures since it was launched on Saturday.

Mark Becher (Image: Contributed)

Mr Becher told the Courier: "Having read the news last week that it is the intention of the council to vote on the closure and demolition of the Brunton Hall, I was deeply saddened.

"I firmly believe that The Brunton has been the 'beating heart' of arts, music and theatre in East Lothian for decades. It is where so many actors, dancers and musicians took their first steps on their performing journey. It is where countless children have enjoyed an annual visit to the pantomime. It is where the people of East Lothian and the surrounding area for so many years have experienced high-quality professional and non-professional theatre, dance, concerts and even cinema."

He said: "I have been privileged to have been involved with community drama in East Lothian for over 16 years as a member of Musselburgh Amateur Musical Association and had the opportunity to perform on The Brunton stage many times alongside many wonderful and talented local people, many of whom were appearing on stage for the first time.

"I have served as president of the company twice, most recently last year, when the news was announced that The Brunton was to close with immediate effect and with MAMA at that time being only five weeks from performing its annual musical Made In Dagenham after over six months of rehearsal.

"It was an exceptionally difficult period for all concerned as we sought to find a venue and reproduce the show to fit into a new venue later in May. Thanks to Loretto School and to the Brunton Theatre Trust, the latter which has worked tirelessly during the past 19 months to ensure that East Lothian continues to enjoy a full theatre and arts programme, the show was able to go on.

"However, the continuing closure of the theatre I know has had a serious impact on the activities and finances of MAMA during the past year as it has sought suitable venues to stage its annual shows."

READ MORE: Potential demolition of the Brunton Hall 'devastating news'

He added: "I very much appreciate that there are serious structural and safety issues with the current building at The Brunton and that demolition may be the only viable option in terms of safety going forwards.

"However, there has been no mention from the council as yet of any replacement arts centre or theatre being planned for or funding for this sought.

"I believe that the significant economic impact for Musselburgh and the surrounding area having a thriving theatre and arts centre cannot be underestimated.

"Investment in a new Brunton theatre and arts centre will bring undoubted financial and economic benefit for businesses in Musselburgh and in East Lothian as a whole,

"As the fastest growing region in Scotland with an ever-increasing population, I, along with many others, feel that East Lothian Council and the Scottish Government must act to ensure that East Lothian continues to have a centre dedicated to the promotion of the arts – otherwise, the region may become a cultural desert with the poorest facilities for theatre and music in over half a century and also in comparison with the rest of the Central Belt in Scotland.

"I believe firmly that the arts in East Lothian truly do matter and, via this petition, I and many other hundreds of East Lothian residents are asking our leaders to show ambition and vision in committing to replacing The Brunton with a new fit-for-purpose performing arts facility for the years ahead."

The petition is available at change.org/p/the-brunton-must-be-replaced