Rochdale Town Hall, one of the most historically significant buildings in the country, is in line for a major restoration after The National Lottery Heritage Fund approved an £8.3 million grant to redevelop the Grade I listed masterpiece.
The funding boost, made possible thank to National Lottery players, will support ambitious plans, led by the council and Rochdale Development Agency (RDA), to restore the building’s many historic features, which have been described by Historic England as being rivalled in importance only by those contained within the Palace of Westminster.
David Renwick, Director for England North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We’re delighted that, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, we are able to support the restoration of the magnificent Rochdale Town Hall. Grand and impressive town halls like Rochdale’s are an iconic part of the north’s rich heritage and signal the splendour and importance of our towns’ and cities’ role in the Industrial Revolution.
“But as well as being a sign of past glory, they can be a crucial part of how heritage can inform and enrich our futures – boosting the local the economy and reaching communities through the opening up of these special civic spaces. Rochdale Town Hall is one of the country’s finest examples, and we’ve been impressed by plans to use the building as a hub for engaging diverse audiences and celebrating the fascinating heritage of the town.
“We know that investment in heritage can have a tremendously positive impact on local economies and the revamp of Rochdale Town Hall will provide a further boost to the ongoing regeneration of the borough.”
Important features will be restored and spaces will be brought back into use for the community
Precious parts of the 149-year-old structure set to be restored include the magna-carta mural and ornate ceiling panels in the Great Hall, as well as the building’s historic rooms, including the Mayor’s Parlour.
The project will also bring neglected parts of the building into public use for the first time in many years, with a new ‘Bright Hall’ being created in the old library. This brand new facility, with capacity for 150 people, will complement the great hall by offering a smaller area which can be used as a community, educational or commercial space.
Ground floor areas previously used as meeting rooms will be turned into a brand new exhibition area, with interpretation set to tell the story of Rochdale, its people and its history.
Access will be dramatically improved, with new lifts and terracing making it much easier for people to get in and around the building.
