The £524m restoration of Manchester Town Hall is nearing completion, with the Grade I listed building set to reopen to the public in spring 2027 after being closed since 2018.
Scaffolding is being removed from the exterior of the Gothic-style structure following the cleaning of every stone as part of the extensive refurbishment. Inside, work continues on restoring the interiors, including the Great Hall, where weddings and functions will resume once the project is complete.
Final phase of restoration
The Manchester Evening News was given exclusive access inside the building this week to view the works as they enter their final phase. The project has overrun as additional work was uncovered within the Grade I listed building.
Councillor Garry Bridges, Leader of Manchester 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."
Challenges faced during the project
Bridges described the undertaking as "the biggest heritage project in the UK in living memory" and noted the challenges encountered, including the impacts of the Covid pandemic, specialist labour shortages, and undocumented quirks in the building's fabric that required tailored design solutions.
He added: "All these have added complications to an already complex challenge. But we believe that when people see this amazing building once again, fit for the next 150 years, they’ll agree that it was worth the wait."
Restoration details revealed
Images from inside the Town Hall show the ground floor looking light and bright after restoration, with spiral staircases featuring spectacular windows and gleaming paintings. The main entrance includes golden details in the glasswork and the refurbished city crest in the former bell hatch, where the giant bell was originally lifted through the floors into the main tower.
The stonework underwent a rigorous three-clean process to remove grime, and many windows were carefully taken out, repaired, and reinstalled. The first-floor state rooms and civic rooms, which look out across Albert Square, will once again host events and weddings, while the former council chamber, with its intricate friezes, will also be available for such occasions.
The Great Hall was the most significant part of the restoration, with new chandeliers kept under wraps for now. Lighting has been returned to its original colours, and bold paintwork restores the original design in the corridors. Original radiator covers are ready to be put back in place, and all sculptures remain in position. The Great Abel bell, named after former Manchester mayor Abel Heywood, sits at the top of the tower.
Finishing work will continue over the coming months ahead of the spring 2027 reopening.
