The public were able to get a first look at the superbly restored Rochdale Town Hall this month. The Grade I listed building has undergone a stunning restoration programme, thanks to a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Over 2,500 members of the public queued to survey the results of the four-year renovation project.
ITV News reports that the town hall, which opened in 1871, is one of the finest examples of Victorian public buildings in the country. Rochdale was a very wealthy town at the height of the industrial revolution in the 19th century thanks to the textile industry, and it still has a rich architectural heritage.
The £20m upgrade involved teams of specialists and volunteers, who carefully restored historic features including the 350 decorative ceiling panels in the Great Hall. The stained glass, painted surfaces, stonework, and Magna Carta mural have all been cleaned and restored to their former glory.
The venue will now serve as a visitor attraction, and has a permanent exhibition space known as the Welcome Gallery, which tells the story of Rochdale. It’s also available for events and community use, and contains artwork created by members of the local community.
Coun Neil Emmott, leader of Rochdale Council, said: “It’s been a long wait for our residents and I’m delighted that they will finally get to see their beautiful town hall, fully restored in all its glory.”
He added: “Not only will they see the town hall they know and love, looking as good as it would have when it first opened in 1871, but they will see brand new features, like the Welcome Gallery, which makes it an even better space than it was before. We can’t wait to welcome people back in.”
Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which contributed £8.9m towards the funding, said in a statement:
“It is wonderful to see this magnificent building now open to the public. As the UK’s largest funder of heritage, we believe in the power of historic buildings to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place, and Rochdale Town Hall is a perfect example of that.”
She added: "The town hall has been part of Rochdale’s story for over 150 years, and is already a treasured building, so I am delighted that National Lottery funding has helped restore and protect its spectacular heritage, made the building fully accessible for the first time, and created new community spaces, ensuring that Rochdale Town Hall continues to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future."
The hall is now open seven days a week for visitors to enjoy and have light refreshments at the cafe. It will soon be possible to book guided tours and find out more about the unique history and restoration of the building.
