CHESTER’S Victorian town hall has reopened following the final phase of a multi-million-pound refurbishment.
Once the seat of local government, the public building remains home to the Lord Mayor’s office but is entering a new phase in its life.
It will become a cultural and function centre run by a private operator, raising £75,000 toward council coffers.
More than £2.5m has already been spent on repairs to the roof and gothic stonework and the installation of a new lift and toilets.
The final phase has seen a £630,000 upgrade and redecoration of the interior of the Grade II listed building, which is a popular wedding venue and is to become an improved arena for concert and music recitals with a new stage and audio-visual system.
However, Labour politicians are concerned the civic building remains ‘accessible’ to the people of Chester.
That’s after Cheshire West and Chester Council agreed the transfer of the management of events and hospitality to an external provider under a concession-rental arrangement with revenue sharing.
Former Labour MP Christine Russell said: “The anxiety and the worry is: it’s our town hall but what use will the people have of our town hall?
“Because HQ is a closed building people don’t view it as a public building. This is a public building but in future where will people go to view exhibitions, on the Local Plan, for example, or hold public meetings on issues pertinent to council business?”
The town hall was completed in 1869 and opened on October 15 that year by the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII.
