First glimpses of restored town hall as countdown to opening gets underway

The countdown to the re-opening of Rochdale Town Hall is officially on, with experts busy putting in place the final touches of its restoration.

Work on the Grade I Listed building is close to completion, with the town hall set to reopen to the public on 3 March 2024.

This week, to mark the occasion, councillors stepped inside to see the transformation first hand.

The incredible project, which is being supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with money raised by National Lottery players, has changed the face of one of the North West’s most well-known buildings, which first opened in 1871.

A team of experts and volunteers have come together to restore the building’s incredible rooms and reopen spaces that were previously hidden from public view.

The changes include:

• The restoration of the historic fabric of the building’s rooms, including the great hall, the reception rooms and the mayor’s parlour.
• The restoration of a room previously used as office space to create a brand new community and events space, known as the ‘Bright Hall’.
• The repair and cleaning of much of the building’s stained glass, painted surfaces, Minton floor tiles and intricate stonework.
• The creation of a brand new permanent exhibition space, known as the ‘Welcome Gallery’, which has been co-created with members of the Rochdale community and tells the story of Rochdale, its history and its people. The exhibition will feature interactives and films, as well as a mixture of historic artefacts and meaningful items donated by residents.

Almost 500 volunteers who have been part of the restoration will also be granted an early look inside the space which they worked so hard to help transform.

 

 

Over the next couple of months, the final preparation for opening will get under way. This will include training an army of enthusiastic tour guides whose job it will be to tell the story of this incredible space, including its recent restoration, to the building’s future visitors. In addition, work to create the town hall’s brand new restaurant, The Martlet, will continue at pace.

Councillor Janet Emsley, cabinet member for equity, safety and reform at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The town hall holds a special place in the hearts of our residents and I know people are intrigued to know what’s been happening since its doors first closed in 2020. It’s been a real honour to see some of these spaces, alongside our many volunteers, whose contribution to this project has been immeasurable.

“This project is about much more than restoring these incredible rooms and details. It’s about creating a completely new offer for visitors and giving this building back to the people of the borough, to whom it ultimately belongs. I’m delighted to say that they will be able to see it in just a few short months. It will certainly be worth the wait.”

Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “It’s incredibly exciting news that we are fast approaching the opening of the magnificent Rochdale Town Hall following its extensive restoration. Here at the Heritage Fund, we’re extremely proud to have supported the ambitious project, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players.

“We know that heritage has a huge role to play in furthering a sense of pride in place, and our investment in the restoration of the Town Hall will not only contribute towards the strong sense of place that the community already feel for Rochdale, but it will also have a hugely positive impact on the wider regeneration of the town.”

The town hall will re-open to the public on Sunday 3 March 2024. Restoration work will continue in 2024 to restore the west wing of the building, which includes the council chamber and public gallery.