Demolition granted for Middlesbrough Kingdom Hall
Demolition contractors in Middlesbrough are preparing to take down the 50-year-old house of worship for the city's Jehovah's Witnesses, to make way for a brand new replacement building.
Middlesbrough Council gave permission for the demolition of the Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah's witnesses on Newington Road this week, according to the Middlesbrough Gazette. Plans have already been drawn up for the new hall, which will include accommodation for a minister, as well as parking for 23 cars and associated landscaping.
Middlesbrough Central, the branch of the church that is responsible for the hall, applied for the demolition after submitting a report to the local authority explaining why it was no longer fit to serve their needs.
The report said, "The present facility, whilst adequate for much of its life, is almost 50 years old and is in need of either major refurbishment which is an expensive option in both labour and financial terms, or replacement."
William Sims, who has been an elder at the hall for last decade, said that the demolition and rebuilding was by far the best option for everyone.
"Our current hall is in need of refurbishment," he explained, adding that the new hall will have seating for 220 people and extensive disabled access facilities. "The new building will be much, much better-looking for the area. I'm sure the local people will be delighted when they see the building."
