Did you get married at Middlesbrough Register Office? Send your pictures to pictures@eveninggazette.co.uk or leave them on our Facebook page
The romantic site of many couples’ special days could become a car park.
Under cost-cutting plans being considered by Middlesbrough Council, the town’s register office would be demolished and be replaced with a car park.
Proposals are also being developed that would see couples tie the knot at Middlesbrough Town Hall instead.
The Elm Street register office was highlighted in Mayor Ray Mallon’s Budget statement for relocation to save the local authority money.
The move is part of the council’s approach under the Change Programme to locate staff in fewer buildings.
The Executive sub-committee for property is holding a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the issue.
It is recommended that the Executive approves moving the register office to the town hall and that the current building is demolished and replaced with a car park.
In the short term the site would be used as a “premium” town centre car park and an evening car park for the town hall.
Long term the site could be developed to link Centre Square and Corporation Road.
The project will cost nearly half a million pounds but council chiefs say by doing this the savings and car park income they will make mean the cost will be recouped within under four years.
Subject to financial approval for the go-ahead, it is estimated that the refurbishment work in the town hall will take up to 32 weeks to complete. It is proposed the relocation of the registration service will take place around May next year.
“The provision of a more attractive and larger space for weddings may deliver increased wedding income in the future,” said Tony Parkinson, executive director of commercial and corporate services, in his report to be presented to the meeting.
“There may also be a knock-on impact in the sale of more wedding plus reception packages with the town hall, particularly after the town hall redevelopment. This would bring spaces such as the court room into use which would provide an extremely attractive wedding venue.”
Last year, The Gazette reported that the town hall had been given the green light for almost £4m from the Heritage Lottery Fund which includes £299,400 development funding.
Mr Parkinson added that the relocation of the service next to the coroner service - which has already transferred to the town hall - will “assist with closer working relationships” and “provide a better service to the bereaved”.
Did you get married at Middlesbrough Register Office? Send your pictures to pictures@eveninggazette.co.uk or leave them on our Facebook page
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