IT once hosted the high-flying antics of tag-team wrestlers.

Now Hove Town Hall auditorium is being converted to support collaborative working of a very different kind.

The former Hove Centre, which also hosted music concerts, Chinese New Year celebrations and festivals before its closure in 2014, is being transformed into a 12,000 sq ft co-working space.

Fast-growing city firm Platf9rm will be the latest occupant moving in to the town hall after its £11 million makeover a year ago.

As well as accommodating up to 800 city council employees, the site is already home to Brighton and Hove CCG, Sussex Police and the Citizens’ Advice Bureau.

Platf9rm also plans to convert a Church Road undercroft last used as a public walkway a quarter of a century ago.

The sizeable site will almost double the workspace offered by Platf9rm, which has grown from 6,000 to 15,000 sq ft since opening last autumn.

Its membership has risen to 250 within its first year and Platf9rm aims to double that number over the next 12 months.

Businesses of all sizes, “solopreneurs” and digital freelancers, can tour the completed space next month ahead of its opening in October.

The site, created by Brighton-designers We Like Today, will provide a range of working spaces and membership options with co-working areas encouraging collaboration, fixed desks, private offices, phone booths and meeting rooms for firms of up to 20 people. The facility will have a lounge, café, showers, “multi-use cultural space” and will host monthly socials and regular business workshops and training sessions.

It is estimated the space could support more than 200 jobs while delivering about £200,000 in rent and £80,000 in business rates to the council.

Seb Royle, Platf9rm founder, said: “For three years running, Lloyd’s Bank studies have found Hove to be the country’s most desirable postcode for homeowners between the ages of 25 and 44-years-old. Platf9rm is catering to the needs of Hove’s modern occupants and we’re thrilled to deliver a roving population of young, creative professionals to the centre of Hove, bringing with them a wealth of benefits to local businesses and services.”

Property expert Phil Graves said: “Co-working has a big future, it is a great model to help businesses grow. It will be right in the middle of Church Road where there is a growing interest for businesses to be based.

“Credit must go to the council. They had approaches from quite a few companies to use that ground floor space but they have had the vision to choose this model where there is huge potential.”