Customer Service advice and support continues to be available for the public at the Brunton Hall in Musselburgh at this time.
Due to significant parts of the Brunton Hall being affected by the presence of RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) which is unaffordable to repair, the building is expected to be closed in early 2026.
A number of council teams have already been relocated to alternative, existing council buildings.
Teams including some social work staff, Musselburgh Community Housing and Customer Services remain in the Brunton Hall at this time.
Our Musselburgh Customer Services team continue to provide advice, guidance, and support for a wide range of council services from the Brunton Hall, including:
- Council Tax and Benefits
- Housing and Homelessness Support
- Social Work Services
- Waste and Recycling
- Education and School Enquiries
- Blue Badge & Travel Pass Applications
- General Advice and Signposting
Customer Services staff are available to provide assistance, guidance, and information as required. They remain committed to ensuring that residents can access the services they need within their local area. It is expected they will continue to be open at the Brunton Hall until the end of 2025.
While our Housing Options Team has relocated to John Muir House in Haddington, Customer Services can still process initial enquiries regarding homelessness.
Further information including opening hours.
It is expected that our Musselburgh Community Housing and Musselburgh Customer Services will relocate to the former Citizens Advice Bureau at 141 High Street in early 2026, once work to prepare the building has been carried out.
The Arts Service have moved their office base to John Muir House.
Brunton Theatre Trust provides opportunities for artists and audiences to take part in and engage with arts and creativity across the whole of East Lothian. The Trust has relocated its main base to the Corn Exchange in Haddington and is committed to continuing to provide high quality cultural experiences in Musselburgh with a programme of events primarily at Northesk Church and Loretto Theatre. The Brunton staff team remain focussed on delivering a fantastic range of concerts, comedy, theatre, dance, talks and film for everyone to enjoy in these alternative locations in Musselburgh and Haddington.
What will then happen to the Brunton Hall?
The building will be closed and mothballed. As fixing the RAAC issues is considered unaffordable, the preferred option is to demolish the building following appropriate consultation.
Work is taking place to ensure future accommodation for the arts in Musselburgh and explore opportunities to finance a replacement of the Brunton Hall. We are keen to progress this as quickly as possible to find an affordable solution for alternative accommodation to maintain all the associated cultural, economic and social benefits that has been delivered at the Brunton Hall over many years.
We remain ambitious for what a newly-provided facility could be that would replace the Brunton – a building that reflects and enhances the Brunton Hall’s significant legacy and a space that is fit for the future with community, art, and culture at its heart.