HH Smith has initiated refurbishment works worth £14m for Rochdale Town Hall. This Manchester-based contractor’s team will carry out electricals, wiring, drainage, and the stripping out of modern additions, like mezzanine floors and MDF partitions for over the next six months.
Works are expected to complete in 2023 while currently the firm is carrying out preparation of the Grade I listed building for the next phase of regeneration. This will see teams of conservation specialists restore the building’s heritage features.
The firm is making sure to include the Magna Carta mural and ceiling panels in the great hall, the stained glass windows and the wood carvings as part of the scenic designs. While restoring the town hall’s historic features, the project will create new spaces in parts of the building.
As part of the project, a new heritage skills conservation studio is being set up. HH Smith is contributing to the cost of the construction that will offer up to 15 people the opportunity to train in conservation heritage skills, including stained glass and woodwork restoration.
Rochdale Development Agency is delivering the town hall restoration project on behalf of Rochdale Borough Council. The client’s team includes Donald Insall Associates as architect, Price & Myers as structural engineer, and Max Fordham as building services engineer.
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