A second major concert venue in the top of the South Island has been closed due to fears it could collapse in an earthquake.
The auditorium at Nelson's prestigious School of Music shut on Friday after it received a notice from the city council that is has been deemed an earthquake-prone building.
The chairman of the school's board, Neil Deans, said safety is key and a managed closure of the Category 1 heritage building is the best action.
Mr Deans said a start date for quake-strengthening work has not yet been confirmed, but plans and funding for the work are in place.
Concerts scheduled for 2014 are being moved to other venues around the city.
It is a further disappointment for concert-goers after last week's closure of indoor entertainment venue the Trafalgar Centre also due to earthquake concerns. The fate of this building to be decided early next year.
