The story of the restoration of one of Middlesbrough’s – and the North East’s – most historic buildings is now touring local libraries and community hubs, giving residents a closer look at a landmark revival project.
Work on the Old Town Hall, located at the heart of the town’s original focal point of St Hilda’s, is well under way as part of a major regeneration scheme supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Major transformation underway in Boho Zone
Contractor Walter Thompson is leading the transformation of the Grade II-listed structure – first opened in 1846 and famously immortalised by artist LS Lowry – into a modern business space within the town’s fast-growing Boho Zone.
The £6.3 million project has already seen significant progress, including the demolition of a 1970s extension and essential structural repairs to preserve the building’s integrity.
Blending heritage with modern design
As part of the redevelopment, the original clock tower is being carefully restored and brought back into use. Alongside this, a contemporary marketplace extension will provide a striking contrast between historic and modern architecture.
The completed development is expected to play a central role in Middlesbrough’s bicentenary celebrations in 2028.
Community invited to explore history through travelling display
Residents can now explore the building’s rich past and ambitious future through a Roaming Archive Display visiting venues across the town. The display includes a portable roll-up banner featuring historic images, key milestones, and detailed information about the site’s evolution.
A QR code on the banner directs visitors to further resources on the Middlesbrough Council website.
Tour schedule across Middlesbrough
The display will visit a series of locations for up to two weeks each before returning to the Central Library, where it will remain until the end of September. Stops include:
- Central Library
- Acklam
- Hemlington
- Marton
- Easterside
- Grove Hill
- North Ormesby
- Newport
- Thorntree
- Age Friendly Hub at the Live Well Centre
Mayor highlights pride in local heritage
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke подчеркнул значимость проекта для местного сообщества:
“The Old Town Hall is a powerful symbol of Middlesbrough’s rapid rise as an industrial powerhouse that would help to shape the world we live in today. The transformation that’s rapidly taking shape is deserved recognition of the building’s historic importance, and that’s a source of enormous pride for local people. Many of those with direct ties to St Hilda’s now live further out in the community, so this is a way to revive cherished memories and keep them informed.”
Learn more
For more information on the history and restoration of Middlesbrough’s Old Town Hall, residents can visit the Middlesbrough Council website.
This article is based on a media release from Middlesbrough Council, compiled by Chat GPT, and edited by North East Bylines.
