£7.5m revamp for town hall step closer after funding bid

More than two years of research, consultation, design and planning has culminated in a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for development funding of £360,000.

The project aims to restore the building to its former glory and will encompass internal and external refurbishment, improved access, new customer facilities and a new heritage centre.

The completed project would see the removal of scaffolding that is protection against unstable masonry.

A decision on the Stage One application is expected in July.

A feasibility study has already been done but the funding would allow the town hall’s development group to undertake the detailed design and project planning necessary for a heritage project of this complexity.

This work would take up to 15 months and then a Stage Two bid to Heritage Lottery Fund would be submitted.

If that were successful, construction and restoration would start in January 2013.

The total cost is expected to be about £7.5m. The formal re-opening would take place later that same year.

The restoration work will also create a Heritage Centre that will focus on the histories of the hall, the town and the surrounding areas.

The proposed refurbishment will involve few changes to the ballroom, but will include opening up the basement and the caretaker’s flat, which were previously unavailable to the public.

Councillor Margareta Holmstedt, Mayor of Todmorden and a representative of the development group, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to develop and restore Todmorden’s wonderful town hall to be enjoyed by future generations.”

Calderdale Council leader Councillor Janet Battye said: “Todmorden Town Hall is a fantastic building, which should be used and enjoyed by the whole of the community.

“The current plans look good and present a practical way forward after all the hard work that has gone into them. This scheme now looks viable and should make the building fit for use by local people.”

English Heritage experts are providing advice on the plans.