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Following a Newry City Centre regeneration meeting, Newry City councillors have confirmed that Newry Town Hall won't close later this year as previously notified, but instead will remain open till at least April 2024. The Town Hall was due to close as part of the new Theatre and Conference facility that's planned for the site, involving the demolition of the old Sean Hollywood Arts Centre and some reconfiguration work at the listed Town Hall.
Potentially events like Newry Feis and Newry Drama Festival which happen in Spring will be able to use the facility once again but this would depend on whether other arrangements have already been made or not.
Councillor Doire Finn has welcomed the confirmation from council management that the Town Hall will remain open. Speaking after the meeting Cllr Finn said "It was previously confirmed by council officers in the last mandate that no new bookings would be taken for Newry Town Hall beyond December this year due to planned works. This led to large scale dismay amongst those involved in the performing arts scene across our district. I and my SDLP colleagues have engaged with a number the affected groups and lobbied council on their behalf to reach an amicable solution that would see the Town Hall remain open for as long as physically possible.
"I am therefore pleased that it was confirmed at today's Newry City Centre Regeneration Meeting that our Town Hall will remain open until April 2024. The people of Newry and surrounding areas can now once again look forward to attending the scheduled programme of events which usually occur in the spring months."
"The SDLP will continue to engage with those who use the Town Hall, Council Officers and the wider community on this matter."
Cllr Geraldine Kearns also welcomed the move. The Newry City Councillor said "Following concerns raised by the Arts sector in Newry regarding the planned closure of Newry Town Hall, Sinn Féin have lobbied Council Officials to rethink these plans to ensure minimal disruption for the arts and drama sector.
She added "This will hopefully ensure the annual programme of events to run for 2023-24 uninterrupted, and allow groups to be able to plan well in advance for events post April. We will continue to work with the sector to ensure a smooth transition in the time ahead."
A planning application is in progress for the project.
