1858 concert venue to become more energy efficient

A series of repairs have been proposed for a Grade-II* listed concert venue.

Scarborough Spa's Sun Court and Sun Suite could be renovated with new doors and windows as part of the plan by North Yorkshire Council.

A council-commissioned heritage survey identified age-related defects in the fabric of the building - parts of which date back to 1858 - with the renovations seeking to improve its visual appeal and energy efficiency.

The survey, done by experts from Humble Heritage, found the Sun Court and Spa Suite had "low historic interest" compared to other parts of the building, but "retained an important musical tradition".

If approved, the repair works would include replacing five glazed double doors and seven window panes in the rooms, alongside repairs to other windows.

The experts said the current Sun Court and Sun Suite were designed by Scarborough architect Sir Thomas Edwin Cooper and were added to the complex between 1913 and 1918.

However, they said a glazed screen to the Sun Suite and the curved and glazed front to the bandstand – although in the original scheme – were "not built until the circa 1930s and 1950s when the chequerboard flooring was likely also added".

A spa building was first built in Scarborough in around 1700, but was originally "just a timber embanked terrace to the shore", the report added.

The 1858 building has a large concert hall, theatre and assembly rooms, and hosts entertainment including orchestras and jazz.

The council is also preparing to celebrate the town's 400th anniversary as the original spa resort next year, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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