Following the £150,000 maintenance investment programme, Shakespeare Hall has now re-opened to the community with a celebration of its past, present and future.

The works to the building have included external decorating, the installation of security lighting and CCTV, the car park surface re-laid and drain pipes, soffits etc repaired or replaced.

Inside, the building has benefited from internal decorating, new lighting, replacement flooring, and new windows throughout along with the installation of gas supply to the building and the conversion of the heating system from oil to gas.

All current hirers of the facility are back in and running their sessions and a new programme of exercise classes has commenced.

In the next few months the hall will play host to a seniors falls prevention session with Meridian Seniors Forum and East Sussex County Council; a youth drop in session at weekends with East Sussex County Council; a continuation of the N.I.P.P.E.R.S. programme of activities plus much more.

Over the school summer holidays, Shakespeare Hall will provide a key location for the joint Newhaven Summer Holiday activities programme funded by Newhaven Town Council.

Peter Crowley, Managing Director at Wave Leisure said: "Over the last few months there has been an incredible amount of hard work with our partners to able facilitate the work and ensure the future of Shakespeare Hall as a community facility. It allows us and the partners and users of Shakespeare Hall to be able to deliver on our promises for the Newhaven Community long into the future."

The Mayor of Newhaven, Councillor Steve Saunders, said: "We are delighted that the work has now been completed on Shakespeare Hall to give the town the facilities that it has always wanted. We are extremely pleased that the Town Council has been able to work in partnership to bring this about."

John Magness, Director of Finance at Lewes District Council said: "Lewes District Council as a strategic funding partner for the project is pleased the much needed works are complete. Now refurbished, Shakespeare Hall offers a fantastic venue and is able to offer a wide range of new and exciting activities for the whole community".