Chester Town Hall, located next to our hotel Chester to reopen on Saturday after £2m of improvement

Posted 03 06 2010 in: News

RESTORATION work costing £2m has made Chester Town Hall a venue for concerts and weddings and a museum to add to the existing Chester attractions.

On Saturday, the 140-year-old gothic building will reopen after two years of repairs on the roof and stonework, installation of a lift and toilets and refurbishment of the visitor centre.

After being the ceremonial headquarters of Chester City Council, the conversion will make the building a quality cultural and civic centre at the heart of our historic city.

The opening marks the end of phase one of work on the town hall which will not be entirely finished until next winter.

Cllr Richard Short, executive member for culture and recreation, said: “When the work programme is complete – probably during winter next year – the Town Hall will play a leading and vibrant part in the cultural life of the city.

“It is also a vital ingredient in our plan to provide the quality of facilities required for our bid to become UK City of Culture in 2017.

“Whilst we are reopening to the public on Saturday, it may become necessary in the future to close temporally to allow for further stages of the work.”

Phase two later this year will involve the conversion of the council chamber to provide a high quality venue for civic events, receptions and galas. This will hopefully encourage a stay in Chester at our Chester central hotel with all the guests descending on such events.

The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress’s parlours will have a high quality refurbishment and the committee room transformed into a high quality museum designed to portray Chester’s long and distinguished civic history.

The Assembly Rooms, which form the heart of the building and can accommodate an audience of 400, will become a small scale concert and recital venue, complementing the larger scale Cathedral and proposed new theatre.

This phase of the work, due to take place by April 2011, will also include improvements to the stage, seating and dressing room facilities and enhanced catering facilities.

Use of the former court and magistrates room as a unique themed café area, with the potential to stage heritage and cultural activities, is currently being investigated.

Restoration to the façade will be complemented by an architectural lighting scheme and public realm works in the Town Hall square.

The newly refurbished Town Hall will resound with the sound of music next week as the city welcomes back the regular lunchtime concerts.

The Chester Federation of Arts presents a piano recital by Manchester artist Laura Hibberd on Tuesday (June 8) at 12.45pm.

The programme, played on the Assembly Room Steinway grand piano, will range from Mozart to Debussy.

The federation has arranged concerts in the Assembly Room for the past 40 years.

Source:  Chester Chronicle