| AdminHistory | The site of the new town hall was purchased 1886 at a cost of £49,000. The site was originally acquired as part of a general improvement scheme but it was eventually resolved to use it as the site for the new municipal buildings.
Following a series of competitions to design a suitable building, Edward William Mountford was appointed architect in August 1890. Edmund Gabbutt of Liverpool (Lancashire) was given the contract to build the town hall in March 1891.
The foundation stone was laid by the Mayor, Alderman W. J. Clegg on 9th October 1891 and the building was officially opened by Queen Victoria on 21st May 1897. The total cost of the building, inclusive of the site, as reported in 1893, was £183,123. |