Rochdale Town Hall

Images of Britain: Town Hall, Rochdale, Greater Manchester

Images of Britain: Rochdale Town Hall, Greater Manchester, UK. — Rochdale Town Hall, Greater Manchester

The magnificent town hall in Rochdale, in Greater Manchester northwest England reopened in March 2024 following a multi-million pound refurbishment. It is a Grade I listed building and recognised as one of the finest municipal buildings in Britain.

Designed by architect William Henry Crossland in the Gothic Revival style it serves as the ceremonial headquarters of Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council. The structure includes a 58 meter tall stone clock tower added by Alfred Waterhouse, the architect of Manchester Town Hall, after the original burnt down.

The ornate interior features stained glass, murals and a fresco depicting the signing of the Magna Carta. A particular highlight is the Great Hall where 350 panels that cover the room's hammerbeam ceiling have been lovingly restored.

Outside in the impressive Town Hall square is a statue of local heroine Gracie Fields (1898-1979) unveiled in 2016. She was once the world's highest-paid female entertainer in the 1930s. Born above a chip shop in Rochdale she went on to achieve global fame as a star of music hall and cinema.

The statue was the first of a woman in Greater Manchester for over 100 years following that of Queen Victoria in Piccadilly Gardens.