Case Study
Rochdale Town Hall
Location:
Rochdale
Project type:
Temporary Works
Project value:
Undisclosed
Client:
H H Smith & Sons
Completion:
2024
Project overview
JPS worked with H H Smith & Sons on the £20 million restoration of Rochdale Town Hall, a nationally significant Grade I listed landmark renowned for its outstanding Victorian Gothic architecture.
The project involved delivering specialist temporary works designs to facilitate extensive restoration and conservation works throughout the building while protecting its historic fabric, including the celebrated Magna Carta mural and extensive frescoes. JPS also developed temporary structural support solutions for the town hall’s iconic 60-metre clock tower and designed access and scaffolding arrangements to enable restoration of key architectural features, helping secure the future of one of the country’s most important civic buildings.
The engineering challenge
The scheme presented several challenges, including:
- Delivering temporary works within a Grade I listed building of exceptional historic and architectural significance.
- Protecting sensitive heritage features, including the Magna Carta mural and extensive frescoes, while restoration works were undertaken.
- Designing temporary structural support for the 60-metre clock tower while alterations were made to accommodate a retrofitted lift.
- Facilitating major restoration works with minimal intrusive interventions to the existing structure and historic fabric.
- Providing safe access solutions for high-level restoration works to the Great Hall flèche and roof structures.
The engineering solution
JPS was responsible for:
- Developing temporary works designs to support the restoration of the Grade I listed town hall.
- Designing engineering solutions that enabled conservation works to proceed while minimising impacts on the historic building fabric.
- Providing temporary support arrangements for the 60-metre clock tower during the formation of new access associated with a retrofitted lift.
- Designing temporary structural measures to protect significant internal heritage features throughout the restoration programme.
- Developing extensive roof scaffolding and access solutions to facilitate restoration of the Great Hall flèche.
- Working collaboratively with H H Smith & Sons to deliver safe and practical engineering solutions within a complex conservation environment.
The outcome
- The restoration of Rochdale Town Hall was successfully completed, with the building officially reopening to the public in March 2024.
- Critical conservation works were undertaken while protecting nationally significant historic features and artworks.
- The project preserved and enhanced one of England’s most architecturally important civic buildings for future generations.
- New access improvements were integrated within the historic structure through carefully planned engineering interventions.
- The completed restoration has returned the town hall to the heart of the community, celebrating Rochdale’s rich heritage and industrial history.
