Original stained glass from Manchester Town Hall, dating back to 1877, has been transformed into a unique jewellery collection, with all profits going to charity. The Grade I-listed Gothic building is nearing completion of a £524.8 million restoration project, and the delicate panes have been repurposed as wearable art.
Jewellery Collection Details
The collection includes earrings, necklaces, pendants, and cufflinks, crafted by Derbyshire-based stained-glass artist Lin Fletcher. She has been working on the town hall's windows since early 2021, as part of a team conserving around 4,459 individual stained-glass panels across 1,800 windows.
Glass in good condition was cleaned and re-set with new leading, while weakened or damaged panes were replaced with authentic new glass. Offcuts from both the new and original glass were used to create the jewellery.
Two Ranges: Original and Authentic
The 'original' collection features glass installed when the town hall was built in 1877. The 'authentic' range uses offcuts of new glass created to replace worn sections. Each piece is unique, with flaws and imperfections adding to its individuality.
A town hall spokesperson said: "Each item in the collection is a one-of-a-kind creation, complete with flaws and imperfections in the glass that just add to the individuality of each piece of jewellery."
Charity and Social Impact
The jewellery is sold through the Manchester Central Library shop, with all profits donated to the Lord Mayor's Charity (We Love MCR Charity). Councillor Garry Bridges, deputy leader of Manchester City Council, said: "Manchester Town Hall is one of the jewels of the city's heritage and this creative jewellery project breathes new life into the historic stained glass and respects the original craftsmanship of this wonderful building."
Simon Wright from We Love MCR Charity added: "This is a very unique opportunity for the charity to be collaborating on and I am sure there is going to be real interest in this fascinating collection. The donations from sales will support We Love MCR Charity to continue to empower young people and local communities across the city."
Limited Availability
Only a finite amount of glass is available, so the collection is limited. Bridges noted: "There will only be a finite amount of glass so when they are gone there will not be another chance to pick up one of these unique pieces."
Town Hall Restoration Progress
The town hall remains on track to reopen in spring 2027 after the £524.8m restoration. Albert Square has already reopened, with exterior work substantially complete. Scaffolding is being removed, revealing more of the building in the coming weeks.
