Rochdale Town Hall
Improving physical and intellectual access at Rochdale Town Hall
Rochdale, UK
Gillespies were given the exciting opportunity to reimagine the spaces surrounding Rochdale Town Hall, transforming them into a welcoming, accessible hub for all. By removing roads and parking, we’ve created a vibrant civic square that breathes new life into the area, reconnecting the town to its rich heritage.
Designed by William H. Crossland and opened in 1871, this Grade I-listed gem stands as one of the most historically significant Victorian buildings in the country. However, by the 21st century, the building’s fabric had deteriorated and no longer met the evolving needs of Rochdale Borough Council. With support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and led by Rochdale Development Agency, a series of thoughtful design interventions were undertaken to enhance both physical and intellectual access to this cherished landmark.
The project was led by conservation specialists Donald Insall Associates, who carried out extensive repairs to the façade and interior, while Gillespies brought the surrounding public realm to life, reconnecting the building with the community.
Improving physical and intellectual access
The transformation of the public realm around Rochdale Town Hall has created a vibrant civic square, designed to enhance accessibility and foster a dynamic environment for cultural and social activity. By removing surrounding roads and parking, the space has been reclaimed for people, offering a beautiful and distinctive gathering place that reflects the Town Hall’s significance while inviting everyone to engage with its history.
This flexible space can now accommodate large events, markets, and daily community life.
At the heart of the square is The Rochdale Carpet, a striking natural stone pattern that celebrates the town’s proud textile heritage. Framed by sweeping lawns and plantings, the square is further enriched by etched paving artwork from local artist Doodhler, featuring symbols like cotton plants and the Lancashire Rose—drawn from the Town Hall’s historic interiors. These elements extend Rochdale’s story beyond its walls, making its heritage more visible and accessible for all. Historic light columns, elevated on new stone plinths and painted in Victorian red, complete the space, adding to the square’s sense of grandeur and inviting visitors to experience the town’s legacy in a fresh, engaging way
The Town Hall’s rich history is woven into the public realm through carefully curated elements, including the striking glazed "Global Benches"—designed to resemble bolts of fabric, celebrating the town’s textile heritage. Positioned around each tree, these benches help define the space while offering protection to the trees. Each “Global Bench” draws inspiration from traditional fabric patterns across different continents, adding a vibrant pop of colour that contrasts beautifully with the surrounding paving, creating a dynamic and engaging streetscape, as well as places to sit and socialise.
Heritage-led Restoration
Donald Insall Associates, along with a team of experts, carried out extensive repairs and restoration to the façade and key historic areas of the building, including The Great Hall and the Mayor’s suite. Previously hidden spaces are now accessible to the public for the first time.
Local Engagement and upskilling
The repair and restoration of Rochdale Town Hall has been transformative for the local community, actively involved from inception to completion, with more than 500 volunteers participating in the work. A heritage skills studio has been set up in the basement of the Town Hall, where a specialist conservator has been employed to work out of a dedicated space that will also host volunteer training and workshops
A catalyst for regeneration
This restoration of the Town Hall has driven wider public realm improvements across the town, enhancing connections between key heritage and cultural landmarks. The new public realm now seamlessly links the Grade I-listed cenotaph and memorial gardens with other historic sites, including the river re-opening and Touchstones Museum.
A £1.6 million revitalisation of Broadfield Park Slopes, a Grade II-listed historic park that forms the backdrop to the Town Hall, is also now underway. These enhancements will include safer, tree-lined footpaths, improving access to the historic Packer Spout Fountain and the creation of a new terraced event space, which is set to become a vibrant hub for community gatherings and cultural events.
The Concept
Our vision for Rochdale Town Hall was to craft an elegant, greener public space that honours the grandeur of this iconic building while celebrating the town’s rich history through thought-provoking and playful art interventions—opening Rochdale’s story to all.
A truly transformative change was the removal of daily traffic, paving the way for a vast, pedestrian-only environment —a rarity in urban settings.
The introduction of the Esplanade, Great Lawns, and Town Hall Square has redefined the heart of Rochdale, offering a dynamic, multi-purpose area for the community. This revitalisation has breathed new life into the town, enhancing air quality and providing a vibrant, welcoming space for everyone to enjoy.
Project details
Title
Rochdale Town Hall
Client
Rochdale Borough Council/Rochdale Development Agency
Status
Complete
Project team
Gillespies, Donald Insall Associates, H.H. Smith & Sons, Buro Happold, Max Fordham, Price & Myers, Frank Whittle Partnership, Hirst Conservation, Broadbent Studios and Darwen Terracotta and artist Vic Whitaker, known as Doodlher.
Gillespies team
Jim Gibson, Warren Chapman, Jon Freeman
Photography
James Newton
