COMMUNITY councillors have voiced concerns regarding the future of the Brunton Hall in Musselburgh as they described it as the “heartbeat” of the town.

Parts of the Ladywell Way building, including the theatre, have been closed for more than a year following a roof survey.

The Courier reported last week that the popular independently run Bistro at the Brunton restaurant has shut its doors, with bosses saying that they had been left with “no alternative” as “the closure of the Theatre, Venues 1 & 2, the reduction in office use by East Lothian Council and the current cost-of-living crisis has had a devastating effect on the business”.

The Bistro at the Brunton was opened 18 years ago by Norma Buchan and Zandra Borthwick.

READ MORE: Team behind Bistro at the Brunton Hall confirm its closure

Arts venues at the building have been closed since March last year after an inspection found “structural issues” with the roof.

Originally, it was hoped that the closures would only be in place for a matter of months but further surveys have ensured the theatre has remained closed.

Productions have been taking place at alternative venues such as Loretto School Theatre and Northesk Parish Church, both Musselburgh, and the Corn Exchange in Haddington.

READ MORE: The Brunton to remain closed for ‘considerable' time

Irene Tait, chairperson of Musselburgh & Inveresk Community Council, said: “In the last few years we have lost Eskgreen nursing home, the closure of the Old Town Hall and the demise of Stoneyhill Community Centre.

“We have heard nothing positive from the council regarding The Brunton in all these months of closure, with the theatre being outsourced, which just leads to huge speculation.

“It is not enough to inform people that the council is waiting on survey results to arrive. There is an urgency to have this building up and running.”

She stressed: “This is the ‘go-to’ place for our community, and many would say, because of its location, the heartbeat of the town.

“If it is not East Lothian Council’s intention to open up The Brunton then surely it has a duty to make our community aware of what exactly is happening with this building, which back in the day was donated to the people of Musselburgh.”

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “We are sorry to hear the news that the Bistro has closed for business.

“The discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) within parts of the Brunton Hall has clearly led to a number of challenges, with parts of the building remaining closed on safety grounds, including The Brunton theatre.

“We are continuing to progress a full options appraisal, which will consider a range of options regarding the future of the building and associated costs. This will be completed and submitted to council for consideration as soon as practical.

“In the meantime, The Brunton Theatre Trust continues to present its performing arts programme in alternative venues.

“The Brunton Hall remains open for general public enquiries.”