Hull’s historic Guildhall Time Ball to return following essential repairs
A date has been set for the re-installation
Hull’s Guildhall Time Ball will return to the city’s skyline on August 1. It follows a programme of essential repairs to restore the notable Hull heritage feature to working order.
Council leader Cllr Mike Ross (Liberal Democrat – Beverley and Newland Ward) made the announcement of the Time Ball’s return at July’s full council. The local authority has now issued further information.
First installed in 1915, Hull’s 50kg Time Ball is the only one of its kind in the UK and as such, has a completely bespoke design. By rising between 12:57 and 13:00 each day, the Time Ball would help mariners set their chronometers accurately.
It was out of action for a century and then underwent a £400,000 refurbishment backed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and council in 2023. But it stopped working again and was taken down in July 2025 to be fixed.
Smith of Derby has worked to repair the mechanism and been working with overseas manufacturers in their efforts to restore the ball. It is also covering the cost of the works and components needed. The Time Ball will be reinstated to The Guildhall tower using a 48-tonne crane and hoist on Saturday, August 1.
Cllr Hester Bridges (Independent – Southcoates) raised the Time Ball’s continued absence at full council, asking for an update “on the work to fix the Time Ball so that Hull residents can enjoy it working and tourists can appreciate the historical wonder?” In response, Cllr Ross said he was very pleased to be able to announce it would be installed on August 1. “This is to follow on from the reopening of Drypool Bridge,” he added.
To allow the Time Ball’s reinstallation to be carried out safely, a road closure will be in place on Lowgate, outside The Guildhall, on August 1, between 8am and 4pm.
This is weather dependent and has been scheduled after completion of the nearby roadworks to help minimise disruption to road users. Internal works will be undertaken the following week, connecting the Time Ball to its new components.
Once these elements are in place, comprehensive testing will be carried out to verify performance, after which full commissioning will take place to ensure the Time Ball is fully operational and functioning as intended. “We are proud to have restored Hull’s Guildhall Time Ball, a truly unique and technically remarkable piece of engineering,” said Paul Litchfield, from Smith of Derby.
“Because of its bespoke design and complex levitation system, diagnosing and resolving the issue required detailed expertise and specially manufactured components.
“Our team has carried out extensive repairs and testing to ensure the Time Ball is reliable and resilient well into the future. We are delighted to return it to the people of Hull and to play our part in preserving this important piece of the city’s history.”
Cllr Ross added, away from the full council meeting setting, “The Guildhall Time Ball is a much‑loved feature of our city’s skyline and an important symbol of Hull’s maritime heritage. I’m pleased that the essential repairs have been successfully completed and that the Time Ball will soon return to full operation.
“I’m also reassured that the costs of this work are being fully met by the contractor, ensuring there is no financial impact on the council or local taxpayers. We look forward to seeing the Time Ball back where it belongs, continuing its historic role for generations to come.”
The Time Ball’s system is highly complex and relies on advanced magnetic technology to allow the ball to raise and lower. New, upgraded parts have been fitted and rigorously tested off‑site to ensure long‑term reliability and minimise the likelihood of future faults.