£270k for Ashton Town Hall refurb

Ashton Town hall is set to see a £120k facelift in the new year.

Tameside Council’s cabinet agreed the spend to bring the grade II listed building back into use. The money is coming out of the £10million budget that was set aside for restoration and redevelopment.

The council are describing the work as “emergency repairs” and say that the work will safeguard the future of the “significant heritage asset” and prevent further deterioration.

Under the plans, the parapet and roof will receive attention to keep the building watertight. Scaffolding is already in place at the sit to the rear of the building to speed up the works.

A further £150k has been put aside for a survey to establish any further works that need to be undertaken and as part of a contingency plan. The survey is expected to take eight weeks to complete.

Executive Member for Finance and Economic Growth, Cllr Oliver Ryan, said: “The condition of Ashton Town Hall has caused concern so I’m delighted that through the agreed funding of £270,000, significant work can now commence to safeguard the future of this magnificent building.

“Once the building’s secured a survey will be carried out to establish what’s needed to restore Ashton Town Hall to its former glory and when fully renovated the building will become more marketable for use, breathing life back into this important civic structure.” 

The hall originally opened in 1840 and has remained relatively untouched since its extension in 1878. The council say the remodelling work that will take place inside will bring the building up to the standard of one that can be used in the 21st century.

They also said: “Any future plans will consider the Council’s commitment to recreate the Museum of the Manchester Regiment inside. The aim is to provide an opportunity to display and access its collection in new ways and provide visitors with extraordinary experiences.”

It’s part of the wider Vision Tameside scheme, which has already seen the new Tameside One building completed, alongside Tameside College’s Advanced Skills Centre, a new Wilko store and the Ashton interchange which is due to open spring 2020. A Public Realm scheme is also renewing paving around the development, as well as planting trees and installing seating and other features to create a striking town centre that attracts visitors.