A PETITION for the mothballed Brunton Hall in Musselburgh to be replaced with a new theatre and arts facility has amassed more than 3,600 signatures.

At a crunch debate recently, councillors unanimously agreed the closure and mothballing of the building, which was officially opened by the Queen Mother in the summer of 1971.

Members agreed that there was a continued desire to see an arts facility in the town, with talks about a replacement venue if The Brunton were demolished.

No formal decision on demolition has been made, councillors instead agreeing that a statutory consultation will be undertaken, as the building is a Common Good asset.

READ MORE: Councillors unanimously agree to close the Brunton Hall

The Brunton has been partially closed since last spring after potentially unsafe reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was found.

A petition calling on East Lothian Council and the Scottish Government to replace The Brunton with a new theatre and arts facility was launched by Mark Becher, a Longniddry resident and member of Musselburgh Amateur Musical Association (MAMA).

He said that support was continuing to “grow day by day” since the petition was launched just under three weeks ago.

He said: “This is truly an amazing total!

“When I began the petition on October 26, I had optimistically hoped to gather a few hundred notes of support.

READ MORE: Petition calls for new theatre if The Brunton is demolished

“However, the response has been incredible and these signatures, together with the many hundreds of supporting comments which have also been provided, convey just how much The Brunton matters to people in Musselburgh, East Lothian and beyond.

“Obviously the main thrust of this petition is that if the existing building is to be demolished, a suitable purpose-built facility must be provided to ensure the future of performing arts in East Lothian.”

At the council meeting on October 29, and following the surge of public opinion regarding The Brunton in the days before, councillors committed to look at a possible replacement performing arts facility and to seek funding from the UK and Scottish Governments and other relevant funding bodies.

Mr Becher added: “It is interesting to note that over 2,300 signatures have been added since that decision and I believe that there is a strong message here – that people now want the council to deliver on that commitment they have made to the people of East Lothian.

“This petition does not end until such time as we finally do have one provided, and I am asking people who have not already signed this to please do so, as it is important that those with responsibility for providing East Lothian with suitable facilities for performing arts and community music and theatre know just how important having this is for people in East Lothian and the surrounding area.

“I am so pleased that the strength of that public voice in East Lothian and beyond is being conveyed so loudly.”

The link to the petition is change.org/TheBruntonMustBeReplaced