Craftspeople unveil their masterful restoration work at Manchester Town Hall in free online lectures

A new series of free online lectures is offering the public a unique behind-the-scenes look at the restoration of Manchester’s iconic Town Hall.

The Grade I-listed building, a landmark of the city since 1877, is undergoing an extensive restoration and modernisation project designed to secure its future for the next 100 years.

Our Town Hall project

The lecture series, part of the ongoing “Our Town Hall” project, highlights the craftsmanship involved in preserving its historic features while preparing it for 21st-century use.

The lectures feature the tradespeople and heritage experts directly involved in the restoration, showcasing the intricate work required to repair and conserve the Town Hall’s architectural gems.

These online films offer fascinating insights into the complex processes, some of which may remain hidden to the untrained eye once the restoration is complete and the building reopens to the public.

Councillor Garry Bridges

Councillor Garry Bridges, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, emphasised the importance of sharing the restoration journey with the community.

“We want residents and visitors to understand the complexities and care that go into preserving the Town Hall’s heritage.

“This is what we’re calling the ‘Invisible Story’ of the project—the painstaking work that is conserving historic elements to safeguard them for future generations of Mancunians.”

What are the lectures on?

So far, the lectures have covered a variety of trades, each focused on different aspects of the restoration. These include:

Hirst Conservation, who detailed their work on the Town Hall’s internal paint finishes, including the famous Ford Madox Brown murals in the Great Hall.

The Mosaic Restoration Company, who are repairing the building’s mosaic-tiled floors, including the iconic Bees Landing.

The Cumbria Clock Company, who have taken on the task of restoring the Town Hall’s historic clock, removing it for a full overhaul before its eventual reinstallation.

Recclesia and Shepley Engineering, two of the stained-glass contractors, who explained the challenges of restoring the building’s 4,000+ windows.

Nicholson & Co, one of the companies responsible for removing and restoring the magnificent Cavaille-Coll organ from the Great Hall.

The project also includes contributions from the Manchester Libraries Archives+ team, who have provided historical context for each lecture. The result is a detailed, multi-layered record of the restoration process that will be available as an invaluable archive for years to come.

In addition to the online films, the restoration project has produced exhibitions and a series of podcasts, all available to the public. These resources provide a treasure trove of information about the Town Hall’s rich history and the modern-day efforts to preserve it.

As Manchester looks ahead to the reopening of its Town Hall, this lecture series offers a rare opportunity for the public to appreciate the craftsmanship behind one of the city’s most beloved buildings. T

So if you’re interested in the restoration project, you’re invited to take a front-row seat at some of the incredible work being done to restore this landmark to its former glory.

The lectures and podcasts are available to watch and listen to online now, by clicking here and here