White elephant

The closure a few weeks ago of the Bistro cafe at the Brunton Hall was not only sad but, alas, inevitable.

With its brutalist architecture, the Brunton Hall complex has been a landmark in Musselburgh since it was opened in 1971 by the then Queen Mother – but is the closure yet another death knell for the sprawling complex?

Bequeathed to the town by the Brunton family, who owned the once-mighty wireworks, which was a big employer in its day, the new building, it was thought, would become the headquarters for the new unitary authority for East Lothian after local government reorganisation in 1975 – a laudable idea as we moved from the old town councils.

But, in the 50 years that have passed, was it? Certainly not for Musselburgh. The state of High Street and North High Street are just a case in point, especially in comparison to other towns and hamlets in East Lothian.

Problems with concrete have been well documented and, for more than 15 months, nothing apart from surveys on the roof of the theatre have been carried out. Is the massive complex destined to become another white elephant?

Come on East Lothian Council, take some cognisance of the Honest Toun’s concerns!

John James Musselburgh