COMMUNITY groups have been promised a say in controversial plans to close a much-loved centre and town hall to make way for a modern building.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has pledged to involve user-groups and residents in plans to draw up a relocation package for all the activities within James Finegan Hall, in Eston.

The council said the £2.69m repair and refurbishment bill made it impossible to guarantee the building's future.

Combined with a £4m repair bill for Eston Town Hall, the council decided to consider a combined building, where council business and activities can be provided for under one roof.

Council leader Councillor George Dunning said: "If we were to carry out a refurbishment at James Finegan, then services could not continue because we'd have to close the building for a year."

The council has erected scaffolding around the Sixties-built hall because of concerns over its structure.

Coun Dunning said: "We do have serious problems with the building, and we believe the way forward is to build something new and better for the same price."

Last year, tempers flared as protestors pleaded with the council to save James Finegan Hall.

They feared they would lose the Mighty Wurlitzer organ at the hall, as it is the only venue big enough to house the seven-tonne instrument, which has 600 pipes.

Yesterday, the council's deputy leader, Councillor Sheelagh Clarke, admitted: "From the outside, I thought it would have been possible to refurbish with new windows and a new front. But I got quite a shock when we went inside - we've got to move, we have to accept that.

"Now we want to assure everyone who enjoys the activities inside the hall that they will be consulted and their views taken on board when we look for a new base within the greater Eston area."

The council's aim is to develop a multi-purpose building, capable of re-housing the Wurlitzer, owned by the Langbaurgh Theatre Organ Society, and provide conference-style facilities.

Within this council base, it is proposed to rehouse some of the staff and resources at present in the town hall, with officers looking at the possibility of utilising the Bellamy Pavilion, next to Kirkleatham Museum, for council meetings and the mayor's parlour.

Coun Dunning said: "Doing nothing and continuing to operate from both James Finegan and the town hall is not an option.

"We can look at the development of purpose-built facilities that have lower running costs, and we can also ensure that services can be maintained while new facilities are built."