Rochdale Town Hall features in new BBC One series

Photo: BBC

The army recruitment centre in Rochdale town hall's reception area

The ornate Rochdale Town Hall has once again been featured in a television show, this time appearing in an episode of a new BBC One series.

Featuring in episode two of the World War Two drama, ‘World on Fire’, Tom Bennett, played by Ewan Mitchell, visits the army recruitment office to sign on to fight, walking down the staircase from the great hall.

World on Fire tells the story of World War Two through the lives of ordinary people from all sides of the global conflict.

From the outside, the army recruitment office is the John Rylands Library in Manchester, but once inside, the interior is instantly recognisable as being Rochdale Town Hall, with would-be soldiers queueing to sign up in the exchange.

Councillor Allen Brett, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council said: “We were pleased to welcome the BBC to Rochdale in December last year to film this latest series which used the great hall, grand staircase and large exchange as the location for a World War Two recruitment centre. 

“The production took place over two days: the first day was spent dressing the building whilst day two was spent filming. The attention to detail was astounding and the range of original and vintage items used completely changed the atmosphere around the building.

“We’re looking forward to following the characters' journeys over the coming weeks and I am proud to see our beautiful town hall on the small screen again.”

World on Fire Series 1: Episode 2 was on BBC1 at 9pm Sunday 6 October and continues next Sunday at the same time.