AYDEN, N.C. (WITN) – Residents of one Eastern Carolina town will have to find a new place to hold events after a sudden closure.

Old Town Hall in Ayden has not been used as a town hall in decades, however, it has been open to the public as a rental space for birthdays, retirement parties, and meetings according to Assistant Ayden Town Manager Stephen Smith. Smith says after finding several safety violations, the building was forced to temporarily close until repairs can be made.

“It’s a two-story structure built many many years ago so it does not have adequate fire exits and it’s also not ADA compliant. So those are some key issues we have to work with if it is going to be occupied by people,” Smith said.

The public still has access to the Ayden Arts and Recreation Community Center located off Lee Street. This space can be rented out for events along with the stage in front of the town hall building and community center off Second Street.