Stokesley town hall is to reopen to the residents and businesses of the town from next week, following its major refurbishment. The building has served the parish and neighbouring villages for almost 150 years, but had begun to show its age.

The first stage of the refurbishment, costing £140,000, is now complete and the town hall management committee hopes a lottery grant will help complete the improvements, which are estimated to cost a further £122,000.

Now that phase one is finished, it is hoped to complete phases two and three if and when the money is available, hopefully in the next year or two.

Visitors to the building now see an opened-up entrance hall. On the ground floor there are two newly-created rooms to hold approximately 30 and 75 persons respectively.

The larger room, next to an improved kitchen area, will be useful for holding coffee mornings and the parish council will holds its meetings in the smaller one. The parish clerk's office will also be on the ground floor.

The building structure has been altered to allow for a lift in the later phases, to allow for wheelchair access to the top floor where the bar area has also been modified for the use of the disabled.

The main hall, which holds up to 175 people, has been simplified, although most of the work needed there and in the bar has been left until the later phases.

The rooms have been decorated, and the fire escape has been improved, but curtaining and lighting in the main hall will be provided only when funds become available.

Although the work will not be completed for at least another 12 months, the building should prove much more attractive and once again play a central role in the life of Stokesley.

The management committee is looking for funding from the Arts Council of Great Britain for a portable stage, drama equipment, and lighting. Regular events suggested include cinema, wine making and tasting sessions, craft making, receptions and group dinners.

The hall was constructed and opened in 1853 in the Italian style of architecture - a gift to the people of the parish by the Lord of the Manor, Col Robert Hildyard. The builder was a Mr Bulmer, who also designed the Preston grammar school nearby.

Over the following century, the rather stark-looking building was to become the hub of many town activities.

The Petty Sessions of the court were held every Saturday. There was a monthly county court for many years, together with a Mechanics' institute, a savings bank, and a dispensary. Social events included balls, drama, music and public meetings.

Some years ago a new floor was installed in the main hall, but, despite much "patching up" and the occasional decoration, the structure deteriorated.

Although the Deed of Gift of the town hall had been handed over to the inhabitants in 1919, this right might have been lost in 1965 when a developer put forward plans to convert it into a supermarket and shops.

Stokesley Civic Society believed that the town hall "had no architectural significance, and was a big strain on the parish council's resources", but the parish council unanimously rejected the proposals, and the site was saved.

The building continued to deteriorate until some three years ago when the decision was taken to refurbish.

The parish clerk can be contacted on 710270 to make bookings.