Bishop Auckland Town Hall will close for refurbishment at the end of August until 2020 - here are the changes and alternatives if you use the library and computer facilities there.

The Bishop Auckland Town Hall refurbishment is expected to last until next year, meaning that Bishop Auckland Town Hall is closed from August 31 2019 until Spring 2020.

For people who use the library and other facilities, Durham County Council has made alternative arrangements to try to ensure access is maintained during the Bishop Auckland Town Hall closure.

Where can I find Bishop Auckland library services during the town hall closure?

While Bishop Auckland Town Hall is closed, a temporary library will be available at No.42, The Auckland Project's multiuse space at the opposite side of  Bishop Auckland Market Place.

Library facilities at No.42 will be open from Wednesday September 4. Opening hours will be 10am to 5pm on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

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What about if I used the Bishop Auckland Town Hall computers?

There will be no public computers at No.42, but computer access will be available at Coundon, Shildon, Woodhouse Close and Spennymoor Libraries.

Woodhouse Close Library, in Bishop Auckland, will also operate extended opening hours during the closure. Opening hours will be Monday 9.30am to 7pm, Tuesday 9.30am to 6pm, Thursday 9.30am to 5pm and Saturday 9.30am to 12.30pm.

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What's happening during the Bishop Auckland Town Hall closure?

The Bishop Auckland Town Hall refurbishment will include the creation of a new cafe, bar and contemporary art gallery space for works by local artist Tom
McGuinness on the ground floor, as well as enhanced library facilities.

The auditorium will also be revamped to include more comfortable seating, and the cinema will become fully digitised, allowing films to be shown as well as live screenings, theatrical productions, comedy nights and lectures.

The new gallery space will also provide a permanent home for the Durham Miners Gala mural by Norman Cornish, which is currently on display in County Hall.

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