A REVIEW of services at Bishop Auckland Town Hall is underway to see if more can be introduced for the community.

Concerns had been raised after people discovered the lease on The Laurel Cafe, which is based on site, had not been renewed.

But Durham County Council has taken steps to reassure visitors that although the contract has ended, the cafe will still operate while the review is taking place.

In addition to the cafe, the evaluation will include all aspects of the services on offer, including exhibitions, concerts and talks.

The Gala Theatre, in Durham City, is undergoing a similar review as part of the county council’s wider look at the culture and sport provision across County Durham.

Council officers want to outsource the running of the Gala Theatre cinema to an outside group prepared to show more independent, art house and foreign language films.

The authority said it is looking for a well-established and successful cinema partner with an existing national and regional presence.

As part of this, the partner would also take over running the cinema programme at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, currently limited to DVD projections and showing about 15 films a year on its single screen.

Bishop Auckland county councillor Sam Zair, welcomed the review.

He said: “Hopefully, this will bring more services into the town hall. I think the county council is looking to get more usage out of the town hall and this can only be a good thing.

“If you bring someone in who is dynamic enough to deliver these services then it will have a benefit to the community.”

Stephen Howell, Durham County Council’s head of culture and sport, said: “As part of a wider examination of our culture and sport provision, we are reviewing all of the services offered at Bishop Auckland Town Hall.

“This includes looking at the café and catering as well as programming and events. When the contract for the cafe was up for review in September it was decided not to extend it under the current arrangements.

“This will mean that after Christmas there will be a few months of a smaller offer in the café while we complete the review.

“We would like to reassure residents that we remain fully committed to Bishop Auckland, the library and the Town Hall.”