Bright New Future for Chester's Town Hall

26 February 2007

Chester City Council will soon consider a major scheme to improve Chester's Town Hall - one of the city's most important landmark historic buildings.

The scheme will enhance its use for the community and as a venue for banquets, weddings and entertainment. It also will reinforce its role as the heart of Chester's civic life and the seat of the Lord Mayor.

The council is taking advantage of the Northgate Development scheme to give the building a facelift. The improvement programme will be run alongside the Northgate Development works to minimise disturbance.

The Town Hall was opened in 1869 and like any old and complex listed building needs constant maintenance and repair, which the council has been doing effectively, making it one of the best maintained historic town halls in the country.

However, such buildings occasionally need a major refurbishment. The two largest rooms in the building were last decorated in 1980.

The works will include:

• repaving the Town Hall Square, transforming it into a wonderful civic space and a bustling, colourful and lively centre for the city - funded by developers ING
• improving the setting of the building - the Northgate Development removes the 1970Õs buildings attached to the Town Hall and replaces them with new streets - the Town Hall will become free standing.
• the building will be repaired and refurbished - this will be funded by the city council
• the city council will pay for redecoration
• the Register Office will be located in the Town Hall
• a cafe / restaurant open to the public will be incorporated at the rear of the building so more people can use and enjoy their Town Hall - funded by ING
• the Community Safety Centre will be improved for residents and visitors to the city centre
• access improvements for people with mobility difficulties and disabilities

The Town Hall will still be the office of the Chester's Lord Mayor and a focus for city council activity.

The council's business plan for the Town Hall project aims to invest £1.6 million into the works. Other aspects of the project are being funded by the Northgate developers, ING. The costs of the works to the council will be recouped by the income the building will attract as one of the most attractive and romantic venues in the country.

It's expected that the Town Hall will close at the end of this year and reopen at the beginning of 2009.

Councillor Sandra Rudd, Lord Mayor of Chester said: "I'm delighted that the Town Hall and its setting are to be refurbished. It`s been the heart of civic life in Chester for more than 130 years and the scheme will allow it to perform this role in the decades to come.

Councillor Paul Roberts, Leader of Chester City Council said: "The fact that we are undertaking this project with ING our Northgate Development partner means that the project is good value for the council and residents and it will cover the costs by increased use."

Councillor John Price, Deputy Leader said: "We are committed to looking after and improving our historic buildings. The Town Hall is one of the nation's gems. This scheme will ensure that it has a bright future."

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