£1 million work at historic Todmorden Town Hall almost finished
Todmorden Town Hall opened in 1875
The main programme of renovation work at Todmorden Town Hall is complete, marking a major milestone in the £1 million project and supporting the future of the Grade I-listed building.
Todmorden Town Hall opened in 1875, and over 150 years later it remains an iconic key building in the town centre, owned and managed by Calderdale Council.
To ensure the historic building is fit for modern-day use and to create opportunities for the building to host a wider variety of events and celebrations, Calderdale Council has managed a major programme of improvements.
The project is part of the £17.5 million Todmorden Town Deal programme of investment, led by Todmorden Town Deal Board and funded by the UK Government.
Retaining and preserving the heritage of the listed building has been at the heart of the redevelopment, with the improvements complementing or highlighting the historic features of the building.
Work has included renovations to the magnificent main hall, with a new bar created using materials re-purposed from the court room.
The grand rear entrance has now also reopened, with a new ramp and steps, making this entrance fully accessible for the first time, and allowing people to arrive through the beautiful Victorian lobby once again.
Further works around the building, include changes to the former courtroom, with new flooring and redecorations, which create more open space whilst retaining the historic features such as the magistrates’ bench, jury box and witness stand.
Until the early 1990s, the town’s Magistrates Court was housed in the Town Hall.
In those days the room always doubled up – the room is still Todmorden Town Council’s chamber but back then every Thursday morning it housed Todmorden Magistrates Court, swapping the Mayor for Magistrates!
Improvements also include installing a new warming kitchen on the first floor, making it safer to cater for large events, improved toilets on the ground floor and under the stage, with changing facilities to support performers, and redecoration of the ground floor, including the staircase to the ballroom.
Additionally, a new reception room has been created by opening up the former kitchen and caretaker’s office.
Finishing touches are now being carried out, including a refurbishment of the external doors to the building.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet member for Economic Regeneration, Coun Keith Ingle (Reform UK, Halifax Town), said: “Todmorden Town Hall has been at the heart of the town’s community for over 150 years.
“It’s a key venue in Todmorden and although it has hosted many successful and varied events over the years, some of its facilities restricted the way it could be used.
“The improvement works will enable the venue to be used in different ways, from large scale events or parties in the magnificent ballroom, to smaller community gatherings.
“The work will support the future of this important building, and also make the most of its history, with the improvements balancing modern facilities with heritage preservation.”
Pam Warhurst, Chair, Todmorden Town Deal Board, said remodelling “the jewel” in the town’s heritage, Todmorden Town Hall, to ensure it meets the needs of all our communities has been a key priority for the board.
“Thanks to the Town Deal, this wonderful building is more sustainable and has a secure future offering spaces and facilities that are attractive, more accessible and fit for purpose, both for local use and visitors.
“It is part of our investment into the sustainability of a suite of existing venues including Tod College, Fielden Hall and Tod Hippodrome theatre, through which the town can continue to support local ambition, creativity, learning and enterprise,” she said.