00:00A bold addition to one of Launceston's oldest buildings.
00:07But not everyone's impressed with the Albert Hall's major redevelopment.
00:13In comparing what has been delivered with what was promised, there's been a lot of questions.
00:21It is extraordinarily inappropriate as an extension to our very much adored and prized Albert Hall.
00:28Three years ago, the Launceston City Council said the redevelopment would cost $11.6 million.
00:35But the final cost was $20 million, with $11 million from the federal government, $60,000 from the state government and $8.9 million from local ratepayers.
00:47I would like to know where the money was spent.
00:51The Launceston City Council has acknowledged there's no cafe operator and says it will open in stages.
00:58But others believe Council hasn't been able to attract hospitality businesses because the facilities are poorly designed and not fitted out.
01:07Even fundamental things like there is only one door from the kitchen outwards to the main hall and any restaurant person would know that you need it in and out door when you're serving a large banquet.
01:22The Launceston City Council approved almost $4 million extra for the Albert Hall upgrade earlier this year, partly so it could host theatre shows when the Princess Theatre and Earl Art Centre close for renovations next year.
01:37But some in the local theatre community says the hall's loading bay is too small for those large productions.
01:44Theatre company Bell Shakespeare had planned to bring Macbeth to Launceston next year, but decided not to because Albert Hall doesn't meet its technical requirements.
01:56There is no access for loading and unloading of sets or major equipment for any of those sort of events.
02:06In a statement, Launceston City Council Acting Mayor Hugh Mackenzie said it was important to remember the hall is not a theatre and it's expected some theatre productions will not be able to be staged there.
02:19He also said improvements had been made to loading docks. The public will be able to tour the building on November 9th.
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