We’re excited to share that the restoration of West Bromwich Town Hall and Library has won the 2024 West Midlands Conservation Award
This award was presented by the Victorian Society’s Birmingham & West Midlands Group. Sponsored by Hortons’ Estate Limited, the award recognises outstanding conservation work on Victorian-era buildings (1837–1914), celebrating efforts to preserve local heritage.
A landmark restored
West Bromwich’s Grade II-listed town hall and central library have long been at the heart of the community. Over the years, both buildings faced wear and tear, making this restoration project a vital investment in the town’s heritage.
With funding secured by Sandwell Council through the Towns Fund, the restoration ensures these important buildings continue to serve residents for generations to come.
The restoration process
The project involved specialist heritage restoration techniques, including:
- restoring the intricate stained-glass windows, some measuring up to 3 metres high
- repairing the terracotta colonnade on the town hall tower
- rebuilding sections of the roof with carefully sourced slate and leadwork
- recreating the historic stone carvings on the town hall entrance
- refurbishing the Victorian organ, originally installed in 1878
- enhancing accessibility with a new High Street entrance
The project balanced authenticity with modern preservation techniques, ensuring the buildings remain structurally sound while maintaining their original character.
Investing in local skills
A key highlight of this restoration was its investment in local businesses:
- 50% of project funds were spent within 20 miles of West Bromwich
- 135 skilled tradespeople were involved
- 18 work experience students and seven apprentices gained hands-on heritage restoration training
The work was delivered by Morgan Sindall Construction, NRA Roofing & Flooring and Henley Restoration & Remedials, with specialist conservation expertise guiding the process.
councillor Peter Hughes, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet member for regeneration and infrastructure, said:
“This award is a fantastic recognition of the incredible work that’s gone into restoring West Bromwich Town Hall. Thanks to this project, we’ve preserved an important piece of our town’s history while making it accessible for future generations.”
A bright future for West Bromwich
The successful restoration of the town hall and library is just one part of West Bromwich’s wider regeneration efforts. With continued investment in local infrastructure and businesses, the town’s future looks bright.
At Sandwell Business Growth, we’re always keen to celebrate projects that enhance the local economy and community.
The information for this article came from the Express and star and the Victorian Society.
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