Manchester Town Hall Restoration Reveals Hidden Gems

Manchester’s historic Town Hall is currently undergoing a £300m restoration project, which is due to be completed by 2024. The thorough overhaul of the iconic Victorian gothic building in Albert Square is described by Sky News as ‘the biggest heritage project currently happening in the country.’

Originally constructed in 1877, the lavishly decorated building has been closed since 2018, as a parade of stonemasons, engineers, and conservation experts go over every inch of the exterior and interior. No such ambitious restoration of the Town Hall has been undertaken before, and there were fears that the much-loved building would sink into decline.

Crispin Edwards, a listings advisor from Historic England, emphasised the importance of the work. He said: "This is Manchester's crown jewel, it's a real icon of the city. But as well as that it is nationally and internationally important."

He added: "It's one of the best Victorian gothic buildings anywhere. It's part of the best civic complex outside of London, it's in the highest grade of listing and on par with buildings like the Houses of Parliament, the quality is the same."

The Manchester Evening News reports that the restoration has thrown up some secrets and surprises. For example, the ornate ceiling frescos in the Great Hall have air gun pellets embedded in their paintwork, which no one can quite explain.

Other unexpected finds include a brick arched tunnel below Princess Street, and a cast iron spiral staircase boxed off in the corner of the Lord Mayor’s chambers. More prosaic finds include beer bottles from the 1930s and 40s, a leather shoe, and Players cigarette packets from the 1950s.

Amongst the acres of steel and glass towers that are shooting up all over Manchester city centre, it is uplifting to see such careful effort, funding, and attention to detail being poured into this magnificent historical building.

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