WORK will begin later this month on a £1m scheme to redevelop Brighouse Civic Hall.

But there has been criticism over delays in the work starting on the hall, which is now closed down.

Brighouse councillor Colin Stout said the contractor should have been hired before the building closed.

He said delays had been compounded with work on a flood-assessment report and finding space for workers’ portable buildings.

“Not even a piece of wallpaper has been taken off. Nothing at all has happened. It has been a shambles from the start,” he said.

Calderdale Council has instructed contractors to begin work this month on the scheme, which will see the Council’s flagship Customer First service introduced to the hall.

Customer First is a “one-stop shop” intended to provide help and advice on a wide range of Council-related services including benefits, council tax and social services.

Further consultation will be carried out in order to determine which additional services, if any, would most benefit local people.

Clr Amanda Byrne said: “Customer First will give the people of Brighouse a friendly and informative service and allow them to get problems and queries resolved quickly and efficiently.

“Building on our very positive experience of delivering the Customer First service in Todmorden, we can now offer the Lower Valley the same level of improved services.”

The refurbishments will also bring substantial improvements to the Civic Hall, including a new kitchen and toilets, a new lift and redecoration throughout.

The improvements have been welcomed by Brighouse Theatre Productions. Although the society will be unable to perform its 2009 pantomime in the hall, performers will benefit in future productions from much improved dressing rooms, a costume store and rehearsal space.

David Ellis, the society’s president, said: “The work will be of long-term benefit, not only to our society, but to all future users of the Civic Hall, particularly groups wishing to present any form of live theatre.”

Clr Byrne also welcomed the improvements to the hall, adding: “Brighouse will now have another valuable cultural venue that complements the major works now under way at the Library and Smith Art Gallery.”

Completion of the Brighouse Civic Hall project is scheduled for February 2009. Completion of Brighouse Library and Smith Art Gallery is on course for October 2008.