Bootle Town Hall
External repair and refurbishment of the Grade II listed Bootle Town Hall together with demolition of the existing Public Swimming Baths to form new car-park area.
The Public Baths were designed by George Heaton, built in 1888 and formally opened in 1889. They formed part of a significant complex of public buildings built to serve the people of the fast developing town of Bootle. The Town Hall was built in 1882, followed by the Library and museum in 1887, the baths in 1889, the Police courts in 1905. Although built over a period of twenty years, and designed by different people, there is a consistency of approach, and a uniformity of material, which allows the group to be read as a single entity with a powerful presence.
Works commenced with the demolition of the existing Public Baths following a condition survey carried out by Cunliffes that confirmed the whole of the baths building was in a serious state of disrepair. Nevertheless, the frontage of the baths had historic value and was a Grade II listed building and it was decided to retain the frontage of the building for incorporation into future development proposals for the Town Hall Complex.
Possibly the largest part of the works and those to have the biggest impact was the cleaning of the Town Hall and accompanying buildings as described above, namely the former Library, Museum and Police Courts. Some of the sandstone walls had been coated with a thick black substance. Due to the buildings close proximity to the docks, the coating had been applied to camouflage the buildings during the Second World War.
Although previous attempts had been made to clean the Town Hall, this was the first major stonework refurbishment to be undertaken. After a long and careful cleaning process, including the indentation of new ornate stonework to damaged areas, the new look façade was revealed to the people of Bootle in June 2004.
CLIENT NAME:
- Sefton Council
PROJECT VALUE:
- £750,000.00
SERVICES PROVIDED:
- Building Surveying
- Planning Supervisor