A community hall will get a new state-of-the-art stage after securing a £1,700 grant.

The new retractable stage will be coming to Queens Hall, in Chipping Hill, Halstead, after Halstead Town Council agreed to purchase it for £2,325.

The new stage, which will be 4.5 metres wide, three metres deep and 358mm high, will have step access and come with two trolleys which will enable it to be moved around the hall when required.

A £1,700 grant from Essex County Council will help cover much of the cost for the stage and the town council will make up the remaining £625.

The town council is also looking to install wall panels which it is hoped will improve the acoustics in the main part of the hall.

Complaints have been lodged by groups using the building about the poor sound and echo.

The panels are expected to cost an estimated £3,000.

Victoria Walker, owner of Vikki V’s, said though her group would not be able to use the stage often, she was pleased to see the town council come good on its promise to purchase a new stage.

She said: “We have loved performing at Queens Hall for many year’s and we certainly missed not performing there this winter.

“It is brilliant to hear that a stage is being put in however unfortunately for such a large performing company as Vikki V’s due to the large scale productions I doubt very much that we will be able to use the stage due to noise when dancing on the platform."

The retractable stage replaces the old permanent one which was removed during the redevelopment of Queen’s Hall last September.

New offices were built to accommodate the town council after the authority was forced to leave its previous home at Mill House.

The move was criticised by numerous community groups, including Halstead Flower Club, who were concerned by the reduction of space in the hall.

A spokesman for Halstead Flower Club said: “Losing the stage was unhelpful for the club. There is less space in the hall now as well because the chairs have to be stacked at the back of it.It means we can host our annual open event at Queens Hall. We are waiting with interest to see what this new stage is like.

“It is something we have been asking for a while and need for our monthly meetings.”