£1m refurb of Todmorden Town Hall finally complete
The project is part of the wider £17.5 million Todmorden Town Deal programme of investment
Hello and welcome to The Calderdale Lead.
I hope the heads aren’t too bad after England’s win over Norway last night! It perhaps wasn’t a performance to match the win over Mexico but we’ve safely through to the semi finals of a World Cup!
The good news keeps coming in today’s edition - we’ve got details of major works at Todmorden Town Hall coming to an end.
Plus, a couple of nuggets in the Calderdale Digest.
So, on with the news…
Calderdale Digest
🏗️ Pausing the next phase of controversial works at Brighouse town centre does not mean the project is being cancelled, say ward councillors.
And delays to finishing the first phase of the works will give time to assess future phases going forward, they say.
Calderdale Council announced a week ago that Phase 2 of improvement works were to be suspending pending assessment following concerns raised by some businesses about the impact they were having on trade.
But the decision has left questions about the project’s future – the scheme is one of those being funded through Brighouse’s £19.1 million Town Deal award.
Now Brighouse ward councillors – Reform UK’s Mark Kimberlin, Darren Commons and Steve Mycroft – have issued a statement through their social media to provide some information.
The councillors say: “Whilst design clarifications are sought, we have received a considerable number of requests for further information.”
The councillors say that it is important to clarify that the improvement works have not stopped, with Phase One ongoing and expected to continue through to completion.
It was originally scheduled to have been completed this month but contractor Esh recently told around 30 businesses that it would be the end of August and potentially beyond before completion, they said.
This extra time would be used to review concerns which had been raised, said the councillors.
🚧 The end date for Brighouse’s £31 million flood alleviation scheme is unlikely to be until late March 2028, according to regional government papers.
Next week West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s (WYCA) Investment Board meets in Leeds where two items relating to the scheme are expected to be signed off.
Although most of the funding is coming from the Environment Agency, the Calderdale Flood Partnership Board and the Yorkshire Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, WYCA is contributing almost £4.5 million from “gainshare” funding.
The board – which has Calderdale Council representation – are asked to approve extending the scheme’s delivery timeframes.
Earlier this year it was reported that some major elements of the work are set to be completed this summer, including work at both Wellholme Park and Whinney Hill Park.
But, says the report to members, although the scheme’s original end date of March this year, the scheme has met challenges on the way which have caused delays and they are asked to approve extending the delivery timeframe to March 31, 2028.
They are also asked to approve reducing the scope of the scheme to remove an element involving strengthening work at Phoenix Bridge.
Todmorden Town Hall ready to show of its glory after £1m refurb
By John Greenwood
The main work on a £1m refurb of the Grade I-listed Todmorden Town Hall is finally complete.
The civic buidling opened in 1875, and over 150 years later it remains an iconic key building in the town centre, owned and managed by Calderdale Council.
To ensure the historic building is fit for modern-day use and to create opportunities for the building to host a wider variety of events and celebrations, Calderdale Council has managed a major programme of improvements.
The project is part of the £17.5 million Todmorden Town Deal programme of investment, led by Todmorden Town Deal Board and funded by the UK Government.
Retaining and preserving the heritage of the listed building has been at the heart of the redevelopment, with the improvements complementing or highlighting the historic features of the building.
Work has included renovations to the magnificent main hall, with a new bar created using materials re-purposed from the court room.
The grand rear entrance has now also reopened, with a new ramp and steps, making this entrance fully accessible for the first time, and allowing people to arrive through the beautiful Victorian lobby once again.
Further works around the building, include changes to the former courtroom, with new flooring and redecorations, which create more open space whilst retaining the historic features such as the magistrates’ bench, jury box and witness stand.
Until the early 1990s, the town’s Magistrates Court was housed in the Town Hall.
In those days the room always doubled up – the room is still Todmorden Town Council’s chamber but back then every Thursday morning it housed Todmorden Magistrates Court, swapping the Mayor for Magistrates!
Improvements also include installing a new warming kitchen on the first floor, making it safer to cater for large events, improved toilets on the ground floor and under the stage, with changing facilities to support performers, and redecoration of the ground floor, including the staircase to the ballroom.
Additionally, a new reception room has been created by opening up the former kitchen and caretaker’s office.
Finishing touches are now being carried out, including a refurbishment of the external doors to the building.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet member for Economic Regeneration, Cllr Keith Ingle (Reform UK, Halifax Town), said: “Todmorden Town Hall has been at the heart of the town’s community for over 150 years.
“It’s a key venue in Todmorden and although it has hosted many successful and varied events over the years, some of its facilities restricted the way it could be used.
“The improvement works will enable the venue to be used in different ways, from large scale events or parties in the magnificent ballroom, to smaller community gatherings.
“The work will support the future of this important building, and also make the most of its history, with the improvements balancing modern facilities with heritage preservation.”
Pam Warhurst, Chair of the Todmorden Town Deal Board, said remodelling “the jewel” in the town’s heritage, Todmorden Town Hall, to ensure it meets the needs of all our communities has been a key priority for the board.
“Thanks to the Town Deal, this wonderful building is more sustainable and has a secure future offering spaces and facilities that are attractive, more accessible and fit for purpose, both for local use and visitors.
“It is part of our investment into the sustainability of a suite of existing venues including Tod College, Fielden Hall and Tod Hippodrome theatre, through which the town can continue to support local ambition, creativity, learning and enterprise,” she said.
That’s it for this edition, thanks for reading.
I’ll be back later in the week with another edition but until then you should know the email to contact me by now - calderdale@thelead.uk!
Enjoy the rest of the weekend,
Andrew