Image from www.sandwell.gov.uk
The Restoration of the historic community buildings was completed by the people for the people. The award is sponsored by Hortons’ Estate Limited.
The 2024 award recognises the restoration of the High Street’s striking Grade II Town Hall and Library. The Town Hall was designed by Alexander and Henman, opening in 1874 –5, with the Central Library by Weller and Proud, added in 1907. The Central Library was a gift to the people of West Bromwich from the astonishingly generous Scottish-American philanthropist and industrialist, Andrew Carnegie, who endowed 660 libraries in the United Kingdom alone.
The Victorian buildings were designed in the Italian Gothic style. This involves the extensive use of stained glass, which brings colour and light to the interiors. The building has a distinctive Italian tower with a pyramid roof featuring a terracotta series of arches supported by columns with rounded windows, below which is a stone balcony. The tower is topped by an open timber bellcote with a short, slate covered spire. At the main entrance of the Town Hall the arches are supported by stone columns topped by carved capitals, which are decorated with medieval style carved heads representing the months of the year. The main hall of the library has galleries and racked seating with a substantial Victorian organ. The Grand Organ was a gift from local Wednesbury MP Alexander Brogden in 1878. Built by Forster and Andrews of Hull, it is one of twelve such instruments built by this firm for town halls around England. The hall was popular for performances by choirs, light orchestras as well as other community events. The roof is supported by iron trusses with piercings that form an open pattern. At the level of the galleries there are cast iron columns with iron arches.
Before external and internal restoration the buildings were in a state of disrepair, with the windows, plaster and terracotta all needing attention. The building’s roof had long-standing weather-related issues. Much of the original timber was in need of replacement, including its detailing to enhance the roofs durability whilst preserving its original design. The Town Hall’s main tower required stone and brick repairs to all be conducted at height. Henley Restoration & Remedials restored and replaced over 200 windows, some were up to 3 metres high and 2 metres wide, including the intricate stained-glass details that distinguish Italian Gothic buildings. The company also restored the terracotta colonnade on the Town Hall tower, one of the building’s most outstanding features. Over 16 different types of special brick were manufactured by Northcot Bricks and Midland Masonry. NRA carefully replaced the slate roof, and also replaced the lead details on the roof to replicate the original designs. The team recreated the scalloped lead design on the timber-framed dormers. They also undertook extensive lead work to the finial and dome of the cupola. A fully accessible entrance was added from the High Street and performance, event and exhibition spaces were enhanced. Original materials were retained where possible including the terracotta columns which both saved money and preserved the original fabric.
Fifty per cent of project funds were spent within a 20 mile radius, with 135 local crafts and trades people involved, alongside 18 work experience students and seven apprentices. The building contractors and restoration specialists involved were Morgan Sindall Construction, NRA, and Henley Restoration and Remedials. The lead designers and architect for the project were APEC Architects. Monies for the restoration came from the Towns Fund.
The Conservation Award, sponsored by Hortons’ Estate Limited, recognises an outstanding renovation or conservation project on a building that dates (or has had substantial alteration/additions) from between 1837-1914, within the geographical remit of the Birmingham & West Midlands Group of the Victorian Society. The winner was announced, at a ceremony at 12 midday on Saturday 8th February 2025. An illuminated certificate and a 19” bronze disc recording the name of the winner and the year, for display, on or in the building, will be presented later. Hortons’ Estates’ generous sponsorship for the annual conservation award has enabled the recognition of notable restoration and conservation projects since 2015. The sponsorship will continue for another 2 years having been renewed in 2024.
Councillor Peter Hughes, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Infrastructure, said:
“I’m so pleased to see that the work to refurbish West Bromwich Town Hall has won such an illustrious prize, recognising this urban, historical gem. This has been a successful project as part of our Towns Fund programme in West Bromwich. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this and I can’t wait for residents to start enjoying this fantastic building again.”