Crucial restoration work to Town Hall almost complete

Photo: Journeaux

The scaffolding around Rochdale Town Hall seen from the roof of Number One Riverside

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Crucial restoration work to safeguard the future of Rochdale Town Tall is almost complete.

The Grade I Listed building, which is 142-years-old, is surrounded by scaffolding while phases one and two of delicate restoration works to the roof take place.

Wear and tear on the roof over time has led to small leaks, which could damage the heritage features inside the building if not repaired.

Specialist staff from English Heritage are working with builders, council staff and Rochdale Development Agency to supervise the removal and replacement of around 30 tonnes of slate tiles on the roof, many of which have been become dislodged over time. Repairs to the timber underneath will also be carried out.

In order to retain the building’s original look, the team has sourced the replacement roof slates from the Burlington Slate quarry in Kirby in Furness, where the slates were taken from back when the roof was originally constructed in 1870.

They have also sourced the original oak timber to ensure all materials are faithful to the Victorian design.

The scaffolding has been specially designed to ensure it is freestanding so the building is not damaged in any way.

In order to the get maximum benefit from the work, staff on site are responding to any other issues they pick up while on the roof and specialist tradesmen are being drafted in.

The work is expected to be completed soon and once completed, other work, including rewiring and further improvements to the roof, will take place.

The Town Hall remains open.