A room which has been hidden from public view for decades has been fully restored as part of the wider transformation of Rochdale Town Hall.
Specialists have completed a full restoration of this incredible room, with hidden treasures being discovered and exposed, ready for it to be used by the public when the town hall reopens in early 2024.
In recent years, the Bright Hall had primarily been used as office space for council staff, with many of its spectacular historic features being obscured by partition walls and strip lighting.
The creation of the new Bright Hall, which will be used by community groups and for events, is part of the wider restoration of the grade I listed Rochdale Town Hall, which is being supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project is being delivered by Rochdale Development Agency on behalf of Rochdale Borough Council.
The mezzanine floor has been completely removed to reveal the double-height hammer-beam ceiling and a stunning original window has been uncovered in the room, from which people will have views directly down into the Great Hall.
Red, green and gold have been used throughout the room, as this was the colour palette used in the original drawings by the town hall’s architect, William Crossland. In addition, the architects sampled the old paint from the time the town hall was built to ensure they were staying true to Crossland’s vision. Angels which were covered by the partition walls have also been revealed, alongside decorative wooden sculptures, painted in gold leaf, which are known as bosses.
Experts have studied historical records to ensure that the restoration closely resembles what the room would have looked like when the town hall first opened in the 1870s
Intricate artwork, which has been co-created by members of the local community over the last 18 months, in partnership with professional artists from May Wild Studio, has also been installed along the walls.
This imagery speaks to Rochdale’s heritage and culture, with illustrations representing the hills, rivers and nature of the borough, along with etchings of the martlet, a mythical bird, without feet, which lives and dies in flight. The martlet represents the tenacity of Rochdale and its people.
The newly restored room is named after the late Rochdale-born MP and social reformer, John Bright, who helped bring about the repeal of the corn laws and campaigned for the abolition of the slave trade to reduce food prices. He was friends with and a strong supporter of Abraham Lincoln.
The Bright Hall served as the first public library in the Rochdale borough when the town hall opened in 1871, before the books were destroyed in the town hall fire, which took place in the 1880s. More recently, it was used as an office by council staff and as a base for the Rochdale Music Service.
