Huddersfield Town Hall is to undergo an extensive programme of repair and restoration works over the next eight months.

Kirklees Council has announced that exterior and interior works will start on the grade II-listed building on May 2 and be completed by January 2024.

The work will include replacing sections of the town hall’s roof, installing more durable materials and improving rainwater drainage to protect the building from damage and damp.

Parts of the roof were replaced during the first phase of this work in 2016 and this will complete the project.

As part of this work, conservation works will also be undertaken to some of the town hall’s exterior stonemasonry, windows will be refurbished and redecorated and the town hall’s flagpoles will be refurbished.

There will also be repairs and redecoration to some of the building’s interiors, including the mayor’s office, the hospitality room and adjoining small atrium, reception room, council chamber and civic office.

During this period the town hall will remain fully open, and the majority of meetings and events should not be affected. The timings of the work have been co-ordinated to offer the least impact possible to key events.

While the flagpoles are out of use, appropriate flags will instead be flown at Greenhead Park.

The council has warned there will be some impacts on traffic around the building – specifically on Corporation Street – and parking directly outside the town hall, including accessible parking, will be reduced.

A Temporary Traffic Regulation Order will be in place while work is ongoing and there will be partial closures of footpaths on Corporation Street and Peel Street. However, pedestrian access to the town hall itself will be maintained at all times and diversions will be clearly signposted.

David Shepherd, strategic director for growth and regeneration, said: “Huddersfield Town Hall has stood for about two and half centuries, and it’s one of our most beautiful and impressive council buildings.

“This work is about protecting it for years to come, preserving part of Huddersfield’s history – one of our greatest priorities throughout our regeneration work in the town centre.

“During these necessary repairs and restorations, we’ll be doing our very best to keep impact for the public to a minimum. The town hall will remain fully open for business as usual and clear diversions will be in place for pedestrians throughout the works.”

In March, Huddersfield Hub reported how the council was mothballing some of its office accommodation and selling buildings to save costs and also as a result of more staff working from home. Read more HERE.

A report to the council’s Cabinet also said there would be a review of the district’s four town halls – Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Batley and Cleckheaton.

The report said the town halls were expensive to run and needed “significant capital in the short to medium term for refurbishment and maintenance.”

That gave rise to unfounded fears that Huddersfield Town Hall’s future could be under threat.

Last July plaster fell from the ceiling above the stage at Cleckheaton Town Hall and a survey was ordered.

Repairs were yet to be started forcing organisers of the annual Cleckheaton Folk Festival to cancel this year’s event.

In March 2022 the council released £1.835 million to spend on décor inside its town halls to make them more attractive and keep up with rival venues.

A report said at the time: “Significant sums have been invested in the essential fabric of a building but because there has been no associated enhancement of décor, fittings, fixtures and equipment, the building is no more appealing to customers or hirers than it was prior to the investment.”

Dewsbury and Batley town halls received around £400,000 of investment during the Covid lockdowns.

‘Seismic’ shift to hybrid working means Kirklees Council is to mothball, demolish and sell office buildings