One of Britain’s grandest town halls undergoes a £16m restoration

A TOWN hall described as a neoGothic masterpiece designed by a Yorkshireman is being restored to its former glory.

Rochdale’s Grade-I listed town hall is considered to be one of the finest municipal buildings in the country.

Designed by Huddersfield man 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.

The ravages of time have taken their toll. 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 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, from Historic England, says the heritage body is “incredibly supportive” of the restoration programme. She said: “It’s brilliant to see a project that’s bringing this fabulous building back into community use.

“It’s an amazing building, it’s got such incredible craftsmanship and the work you can see is really suited to the brilliant architecture and decorative detail we have got in this building.”

Caroline Storr, heritage engagement manager at Rochdale council, said the project represents a “fantastic opportunity to showcase the very best” of the town.

Detail here : http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/townhall