THE future of an historic town hall appears to finally be secure after years of legal wrangling.

Thornaby Town Council has taken over the ownership of the freehold of the town’s 120-year-old, Grade II-listed Town Hall.

Contracts have been exchanged with Stockton Council, the previous owners.

The parish council will now work with Middlesbrough-based development company, Green Lane Capital, to restore the town hall and its adjoining buildings. The investment will make it suitable for a range of commercial and community uses whilst also reflecting its heritage.

Stockton Council's cabinet member for Regeneration and Transport, Mike Smith, said: "We have been working for many years to find an appropriate and viable solution to secure the future of Thornaby Town Hall for the town's businesses and residents.

"Over the years we have carried out substantial renovations, including replacing the roof, but it requires a great deal more to secure if for the future and make it suitable for 21st Century use.

"I'm delighted we have now reached a point where we can hand over the freehold to its new owners, Thornaby Town Council.”

The restoration will see the Town Hall and its adjoining buildings become home to up to 26 small enterprises with short term, easy-in-easy-out tenancies for new and existing enterprises. The newly restored buildings will also include a heritage centre, office facilities and a management suite.

Meanwhile, the main council chamber will be restored for meetings and commercial use.

Serviced apartments could also be created in the upper floors of the adjacent buildings at 3-9 Mandale Road to provide short-stay accommodation for people like business professionals or the parents of university students.

The renovation is expected to start next year and take two-and-a-half years to complete.

Most of Thornaby Town Hall, built in 1890, has not been used since Thornaby Borough Council, a more powerful authority than the current parish council, ceased to exist in 1968.

Stockton Council served notice in 2010 to Thornaby Town Council that it wanted to terminate the two rooms used by the smaller authority so the whole building could be put to other use.

However, Thornaby council won a civil lawsuit against Stockton Council and developer Python Properties pulled out of another, £795,000, restoration scheme. However Green Lane Capital have now come up with another develop that suits all parties.