IHBC’s ‘Heritage from the doorstep’: Rochdale Town Hall ‘blighted masterpiece building’ being restored

Rochdale Town Hall, one of the most impressive buildings in the north is now being restored to its former glory, reports the Manchester World.

image: for illustration purposes only

… a treasure trove of forgotten rooms and obscured features…

Manchester World writes:

Often described as a ‘neo-gothic masterpiece’, Rochdale’s Grade-I listed town hall is considered to be one of the finest municipal buildings in the country.

Designed by William Crossland, it opened in 1871 as a symbol of the town’s industrial might – its ornate stylings rivalled only by the Palace of Westminster according to Historic England.

…  Problems blighting the building over recent years include a crumbling drainage system and a leaking roof, while a digital scan by Salford University revealed a treasure trove of forgotten rooms and obscured features.

But now a £16m restoration of the Victorian gem- part funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund – is well under way. Around two thirds of the town hall is being revamped under the first two phases of the project – with a third possibly in the pipeline.

Scheduled to reopen in 2023, the revamp will restore many period features within the building and create a new permanent exhibition as well as boasting a heritage skills studio where local people can train in sought-after conservation skills.

Karen Heverin, of Historic England, says the heritage body is ‘incredibly supportive’ of the restoration programme.

…[Caroline Storr, heritage engagement manager at Rochdale Council] recalls how the town hall was once likened to an ‘oriental temple of intoxicating elegance….

And she believes the revitalised town hall will make Rochdale a real destination, together with attractions such as Touchstones Heritage Library, Fireground and the Rochdale Pioneers Museum.

Read more….

For more information on the restoration of Rochdale Town Hall see the Rochdale Council website

This entry was posted in IHBC NewsBlog. Bookmark the permalink.