Rochdale Town Hall
Rochdale Town Hall, near Manchester, was designed by William Henry Crossland and opened in 1871. The Grade I-listed building is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of Victorian Gothic architecture in Britain and combines craftsmanship with decorative influences drawn from across Europe. For generations it stood at the heart of Rochdale’s civic life. By the 2010s, however, decades of underinvestment, poor maintenance and inappropriate alterations had left the building in serious decline and no longer fit for modern use.
The Town Hall closed in 2020, and a major programme of conservation and adaptive reuse followed between 2021 and 2024. The design approach, combining careful repair of the historic fabric with new interventions, make the Town Hall the centre of regeneration in the surrounding area. The project reinforces its role as a civic meeting place and contributes to the renewed vitality of the town centre.
Externally, the works included extensive masonry repairs, re-roofing and conservation of stained glass. Internally, the Great Hall, Council Chamber and Mayor’s Parlour were carefully restored. Removal of later alterations revealed historic features that had long been hidden. In the Bright Hall, 20th-century partitions were removed to uncover a double-height space with carved angels and a previously concealed window overlooking the Great Hall.
The decorative scheme of the Great Hall required particularly complex conservation. More than 330 painted ceiling panels were stabilised and repaired. Seven layers of darkened varnish were carefully removed, revealing the original colours and stencilled decoration beneath. Murals, stained glass and carved stonework were also restored.
Improving access formed a central part of the project. New lifts were inserted within the tower, and external terracing now provides step-free routes around the building. The surrounding square, previously used as a car park, was transformed into a pedestrian civic space reflecting Rochdale’s textile heritage.
Digital survey and 3D scanning supported the conservation process and created a detailed record of the building. Sustainable upgrades, including improved roof insulation and air-source heat pumps, significantly reduced energy use without compromising the historic structure.
The project also had a strong social dimension. Nearly 1,200 volunteer, training and employment opportunities were created, including apprenticeships and internships. A heritage skills studio in the basement employs three permanent conservators and provides space for training and maintenance.
The project was funded by Rochdale Borough Council with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Salix and the Towns Fund.
The Awards’ Jury stated: “The high-quality restoration of the Rochdale Town Hall is based on respectful and reversible conservation principles. It demonstrates how historic civic buildings can act as anchors of heritage-led regeneration, helping rebuild public trust, civic pride and a sense of shared ownership within the local community.”
Contact: Lucy House | Donald Insall Associates | Lucy.House@dia.co.uk | www.dia.co.uk