Town Hall restoration underway

Town Hall restoration

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Rochdale Town Hall is undergoing a makeover. Work is well underway in the reception area of the 150 year old grade one listed building to restore its décor and paint work to its former glory. Brick work has been repaired along with the refurbishment of the walls and extensive repainting. Now paint is being carefully removed from the walls to reveal the original stone.

The work, in the main entrance area known as the ‘Exchange’ is set to return it to its original new condition. Back in 1871 the Exchange would be where local people would strike a deal and exchange merchandise. Textiles and cotton would regularly be exchanged for tea and coffee!

Other parts of the building are also being repaired and cleaned up.

Council Leader Alan Taylor said he is hoping the work will create the wow factor that will really welcome visitors: “We’re stripping off 180 years of grime so it’s a bit more than your average spring clean, and it’s already looking very impressive.

"I’m always delighted with how many people come to visit our beautiful Town Hall – both residents and tourists.

"We’re currently considering future uses for the Town Hall for when staff move into the new municipal offices in three years so I think it’s really important that it looks its best.”

The Town Hall is a hugely popular venue for a vast range of events. In recent years it’s been a popular destination for celebrities and television shows including Waterloo Road, Antiques Roadshow and Flog It! The drama series ‘Longford’ was filmed their in 2006.

The project is set to be completed within the next couple of months.

On Sunday 13 September the Town Hall are offering free guided tours to the general public every hour from 10 am, with the last tour at 3pm.