Restoration
Built in the late nineteenth century, West Bromwich Town Hall is a handsome grade II-listed Italian Gothic-style building on West Bromwich High Street. Adjacent to the Town Hall is the West Bromwich Central Library, built in 1907 as a gift to the borough from industrialist Andrew Carnegie.
Hoardings are currently up outside the buildings while plans for internal and external restoration are finalised. These will feature access improvements – including the installation of a new entrance ramp and steps to the Town Hall from the main High Street. A Changing Places facility will be located to the rear of the Town Hall.
Sandwell Council has appointed a contractor through the Constructing West Midlands framework to provide the design and building work needed. Thanks to scaffolding, conservation architects will soon be able to provide closer inspection and detailed surveys to help determine the scope of the external restoration.
Inclusive design
Urban Design and Building Services (UDBS) has a quality control and monitoring role in this project. That means we will liaise with the contractor on site to ensure the access improvements are fully compliant with current guidance on inclusive design. We will also ensure that all the restoration works are appropriate for a grade II-listed building.
Councillor Peter Hughes, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said in a media release: “It’s great news that we’re one step closer to this major renovation project starting in earnest.
“I’m really looking forward to the restoration and renovation of these much-loved and iconic West Bromwich landmarks, which have played such a large part in peoples’ lives since they were built.
“Although it’s important to see their historic significance preserved, we also need to look to the future and provide modern and vibrant facilities relevant for today’s users and for future generations.”
UDBS is currently advising on the new accessible facilities. We have attended several meetings with the contractor to discuss design.
Central Library will stay open for the duration of the restoration works.
About UDBS
Based within Sandwell Council, UBDS is a specialist ‘one stop’ design and buildings maintenance team. Our national award-winning services are also available to outside organisations for public-funded projects. Read our brochure or contact UDBS today.