After years of legal wrangling and being plagued by budget overspends, the date of the first public event at Hitchin Town Hall has finally been announced.

The facility will open its doors to the public for the first time on Friday, April 22, following years of frustration within the community and a bitter dispute between North Herts District Council and the body originally formed to oversee the running of the district museum and town hall – Hitchin Town Hall Ltd.

The town hall – which was used for the district council’s invitation-only civic reception last month – will host a Question Time-style debate on the EU referendum in an event organised by Hitchin Initiative.

The debate will give the public the opportunity to join in the discussion with a panel of politicians to be confirmed on whether or not the UK should remain a member of the European Union before UK voters take to the polls on June 23.

Town centre manager Keith Hoskins said: “The European referendum discussion is exactly the sort of public-interest issue that should be aired in a town hall forum.

“I’m delighted Hitchin Initiative as the long-established town centre partnership has the opportunity to be the first public host at the newly refurbished building.”

Further events are being planned in advance of the official opening of Hitchin Town Hall and details of these, along with how people can register an interest in hiring the facility, will be released shortly.

Tickets for the debate are free and can be obtained from the Hitchin Initiative offices at 27 Churchyard.