Mark Whitehead 14 July 2016

Manchester’s historic town hall to be revamped

A £330m plan to upgrade Manchester's historic town hall to make it safe and open up new commercial opportunities has been unveiled.

A survey found the 139-year-old Grade 1 listed building's electrics, plumbing, heating, ventilation and lift installations were in poor condition, as well as its stonework, windows and roof.

It was currently underused and from August there would only be 250 staff based in it as others had been moved out of areas where remedial work was needed.

Manchester City Council said further work was needed to finalise the scale and timing of works and evaluate commercial opportunities and other funding which could reduce the final cost.

A final decision will be taken in the autumn and will include improving Albert Square outside the town hall.

The council's deputy leader Bernard Priest said the building was 'an icon of Manchester, conceived by our Victorian forebears as a proud symbol of the city's confidence and cherished by Mancunians ever since.'

He added: 'But it’s almost 140 years old and it is seriously showing its age. If we don’t act we will have to stop using, and start mothballing, significant parts of this much-loved building sooner rather than later.

'Ultimately, it would have to close altogether. Such a situation would be unthinkable.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

Hull City Council
£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recuriter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

Hull City Council
£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recuriter: Hull City Council

Strategic Director, Finance and Resources (S.151 Officer)

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
£110,799 - £120,706
Blackburn with Darwen is a distinctive, welcoming and vibrant borough with a strong identity and a genuine buzz about the place. Blackburn, Lancashire
Recuriter: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

Residential Worker, Edge of Care Service

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 PAY AWARD PENDING
Join a Groundbreaking Team Supporting Families in Seaham Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Bikeability Cycling Instructor

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £24,790 to £25,992 pro rata (Pay Award Pending)
The Road Safety Team are keen to recruit additional Casual Bikability Instructors to join our team of instructors delivering Bikeability cycle trainin Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner