An £8m overhaul of Middlesbrough Town Hall began in January this year and is due for completion next spring.

The restoration will see parts of the building, currently inaccessible to the public, being opened up, including the Victorian courtroom, cells and fire station which would be made into heritage attractions in their own right.

The plans also include the restoration of the carriage driveway with original glass roof which will become the main box office and circulation area, an external lighting scheme, the development of new café and bar facilities, and a new community space.

Whilst redevelopment work is being carried out, the town hall has been surrounded by people’s best memories of their experiences at the venue.

The building, which was first opened in 1889, housed police and fire services until the 1930s and a court room, which was in operation until the 1970s.

Rob Guest, business development manager, said the town hall was “opening up its history” for people who come to Middlesbrough.

“We want to bring more people to the town and see them become part of the night time economy,” he said.

“We’ve seen the work on Bedford Street, Baker Street and Centre Square, and now we are following suite.

“As well as that, we also want to see people come during the day, whether that be to the café or to some of the meeting space.

“Previously, if there was no show on, there would be no reason to come to the town hall - we want to change that,” he added.

Mr Guest said there had been “constant progress” on the project and it was on track to be completed next year.

“People have graduated here, men have met their wives in the queue waiting for a gig – this place has played a big part in people’s lives and we have tried somehow to capture that.

“It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to change and develop a building of such importance to the community.”

Liz Hayward, engagement and learning officer, said the development was all about “showcasing the heritage” of the building.

“The old police station will be turned into a venue space that will be perfect for meetings and wedding receptions, and we will also have lecture facilities, a cinema and a drama studio, and other ways to really help children with their education.

“One of the original fire appliances is still in operation and families of the chief officers used to live upstairs in apartments at the top of the building - there is so much history here.”

Mr Guest added: “When the town hall was built, it was designed to use all kind of services such as police, fire, court, library and even the water board.

“As the Middlesbrough economy expanded, these services were gradually moved out,” he added.