Work to restore Whitby’s Old Town Hall nearing completion
A £1.3 million project to restore one of Whitby’s most recognisable buildings and bring it back into public use is reaching its final stages.
Architects and engineers from Align have been heavily involved in designing the new Old Town Hall building which is undergoing a significant transformation.
The building has been one of Whitby’s most famous heritage assets since the 18th century but has been in a poor state of repair, with its first floor having been unoccupied since 2017.
Work to renovate the Grade II*-listed premises started in February this year and has now reached a major milestone. Repairs to the iconic clock tower and roof have been completed, with the scaffolding now being removed.
The remaining stone and mortar work on the building’s façade and columns are progressing well along with renovations to the first floor.
It is hoped that the project will be fully completed by the end of the year.
The Old Town Hall’s renovation will see the building’s first floor space upgraded and its steps will also be improved and widened to better connect the under croft to Market Place, whilst still accommodating the market.
Market traders have been temporarily relocated to the Dock End area of the town while the works are completed.
To allow the final works to be completed to the building’s south elevation columns, the road from Church Street to Market Place will be closed to motorists for a period of up to six weeks, from Tuesday (September 9).
Pedestrians will still be able to access Market Place via the building’s north side, and Sandgate, but the road will be closed to all non-emergency vehicles.
For more information on the project, you can visit North Yorkshire Council’s website at www.northyorks.gov.uk/whitbytownhall
