Manchester Town Hall is set to reopen to the public in spring 2027 following a £524.8m restoration that has taken nine years to complete. The Grade I-listed building, which has been closed for eight years, will feature a new visitor centre, restored state rooms, and improved accessibility throughout.
The project, originally planned to finish three years earlier, has seen its budget rise by £200m. Council leaders believe the wait and cost will be justified when the public returns to the landmark, which first opened in 1877 and was designed by architect Alfred Waterhouse in the Gothic revival style.
Restoration highlights and visitor experience
An exclusive tour revealed that the main entrance now features regilded glasswork on vaulted archways, with stonework cleaned through a three-layered process. Ornate glass windows were removed, restored, and reinstalled like jigsaws. All entrances have been made accessible, and new lifts now serve every floor.
For the first time, the building will include a public visitor centre on the ground floor next to the Sculpture Hall, showcasing the building's history. The first-floor Great Hall and state rooms, which posed the greatest challenges due to their ornate detailing, will be available for private events and weddings, with bookings being taken from January 2028 onwards.
Challenges and future plans
Councillor Garry Bridges, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: "We’re on the last lap now of this once-in-a-century project to safeguard this iconic building for future generations. We can’t wait to share the results with Manchester people and welcome them back to their town hall – back to its best and more accessible than ever."
He added that the project faced challenges including the Covid pandemic, specialist labour shortages, and undocumented quirks in the building's fabric. The restoration also uncovered an unexpected flue and impacted sawdust that took 18 weeks to remove, setting back the project.
The Great Hall's "priceless" frescoes by Ford Madox Brown have been protected throughout and will undergo restoration in the coming months. The organ has been returned to its original design, and light fittings have been stripped of years of paint layers. A new production kitchen has been created to support future events.
Upper floors will see the return of the Coroner's Court and legal services offices, with previously covered windows uncovered to let in light. The rooftop and bell tower, accessed via 170 steps, offer views over Manchester and the fully pedestrianised Albert Square. The giant bronze bell, Great Abel, remains in perfect condition and will ring again once complete.
