Lord Mayor retreats from Chester’s crumbling town hall

Jun 15 2008 by David Norbury, Chester Chronicle

CHESTER'S lord mayor is retreating from the city's crumbling grade ll* listed (grade two star) Town Hall.

With scaffolding already going up in preparation for repairs and refurbishment costing £1.3m, Cllr Brian Bailey and the Lady Mayoress, Mrs Raewyn Bailey are hopping it across Town Hall Square to become near neighbours of the Bishop of Chester, the Right Rev Dr Peter Forster.

The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress are to occupy two rooms and the garden of the former retreat house in Abbey Square as the building work makes parts of the Town Hall uninhabitable.

The rent is £7,000 a year.

Town Hall manager Rebecca Pinfold has applied for a premises licence for the retreat house to enable the civic team to continue their duties.

She is seeking approval for alcohol to be available seven days a week between 8am and 11pm and for live and recorded music, dance and similar entertainment.

Licensing officers say they have had no objections.

Councillors are due to hear at a meeting on Tuesday (June 17) that approval is being sought for amplified music to support events in the retreat house including orchestras and choirs.

They could also be occasional performances by local and national dance groups and other activities including karaoke.

Temporary facilities could also be provided.

The application provides for the sale of alcohol in connection with functions intermittently throughout the year.

All events taking place at the retreat house would be authorised by the Lord Mayor or Lady Mayoress.

The City Council says steps would be taken to prevent crime and disorder, ensure public safety, prevent public nuisance and protect children from harm.

Chester's licensing act sub committee is due to meet at the Crown Plaza Hotel on Tuesday at 10.30am to decide the application.

Previous lord mayors have had to contend with rainwater dripping through the ceiling of the mayor's parlour due to the Town Hall's leaky roof.

Extensive repair work is needed to deal with the roofs, eroding stonework, loose balustrades, rotten window frames and worn electrics in the landmark Victorian building.