A PROJECT to repair Marsden Mechanics Hall’s roof is now under way.

Scaffolding has gone up around the Peel Street building, with repair work due to start next week.

The £70,000 improvements to the popular hall are expected to be completed by mid-September.

The roof was in desperate need of repair, with the building suffering from leaks in recent years.

Kirklees Council granted funding for the ‘sympathetic repair’ in a bid to make the building watertight and protect its well-used community rooms from future damage.

The roof project is part of an ongoing programme of repair and refurbishment to the 19th century hall, which have been carried out over the last four years.

Improvements –funded by the council and committee – have in recent years included new windows, a refurbished kitchen, disabled access and new stage curtains.

Jean Hutchinson, the council’s premises manager for rural public halls, said: “It’s a beautiful building and very well-used for all sorts of activities.

“It’s a wonderful focal point of the community, but like most older buildings it needs to be maintained and have some repair work every now and then.

“The whole of the roof has to be replaced so it’s going to be quite a big job.

“That’s the reason why there’s scaffolding in place and we have to be mindful of public safety.

“But work like this helps improve the comfort of the building for everyone.

“The community seem pleased about all the work that’s being done – particularly with the roof as there have been issues in the past with leaks.”

Work on repairing the roof is expected to be completed by September 18.

Because of the narrow streets, traffic passing the hall will be controlled by a four-way traffic light system.

Most of the building is expected to remain open during the work, although the upstairs hall will have to close for a short period.

The hall is a focal point of village events including the Marsden Jazz Festival and the Cuckoo Festival.

The renovated main hall also hosts regular dances and meetings for groups as varied as a local karate club and Weightwatchers.