Newcastle City Hall saved

One of the North East's most popular and historic music venues has been saved from closure, it has been confirmed today.

There will also be new investment in Newcastle's City Hall to protect its future.

The city council leader confirmed what we reported last night: that the trust which runs the city's main theatre will take it over.

Watch the full report from Ben Chapman below.

The City Hall, which once hosted the Beatles and Buddy Holly, had been threatened with closure due to budget cuts.

In future the City Hall will be managed by the trust that runs the city's Theatre Royal.

Those who campaigned to save it, like Hazel Plater from the North East Music History Group, have welcomed the announcement, as long as the City Hall remains a music venue.

The leader of Newcastle City Council has confirmed to ITV News that the historic music venue, the City Hall, is safe from closure. Nick Forbes said that a partnership with the Theatre Royal would give it "a bright future."

He also said there would be investment in the venues catering facilities to help it pay its way in the years to come.

The venue had been threatened with closure due to council budgets cuts, and plans to close the City Pool, which is in the same building.

13,000 people signed a petition calling for it to be saved, as a vital part of the city's musical and cultural heritage.

Mr Forbes praised the North East Music History society for working with the council to save the venue.

Newcastle's historic music venue, the City Hall, has been saved from closure. The City Council has only confirmed that it is 'in talks' with the Theatre Royal Trust about the possibility of taking over the management of the venue.

But I understand proposals will be put to councillors tomorrow that will confirm its future.

Around 13,000 people signed a petition calling for the venue to be saved from council budget cuts. The group behind that campaign has "tentatively" welcomed the development, but wants further guarantees from the council.

Newcastle City Council have released the following statement in response to reports that Newcastle's City Hall, which had been under fear of closure, is safe and that it has a new owner.

There are reports that Newcastle's City Hall, which had been under fear of closure, is safe and that it has a new owner.

It is understood that the Theatre Royal has struck a deal with the music venue in the city and an official announcement on the development is expected tomorrow.

Neither the Theatre Royal nor Newcastle City Council would comment tonight.

More details on that story to follow.