A £2 million project to preserve Greenock Town Hall for future generations is underway with work expected to last until early November.
The historic 19th Century venue is set for a new roof, windows, and ventilation system as part of essential improvement works, with improvements also coming to the adjoining Inverclyde Council chambers.
The town hall, part of the category A-listed Greenock Municipal Buildings, is owned by Inverclyde Council and managed by Inverclyde Leisure.
Councillor Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council’s convener of environment and regeneration, said, “Greenock Town Hall and the Municipal Buildings are some of the finest examples of neoclassical-Italianate architecture in the country and have been admired by people from near and far for around 140 years. The town hall in particular has been used for countless weddings, gigs, shows, performances, and events over the years and is a cherished part of Greenock and Inverclyde.
“As with any institution, we are only the custodians and have a duty to protect and preserve these historic buildings for future generations to admire and enjoy.”
The Town Hall dates back to 1858 and the Municipal Buildings were constructed around the venue as the population of Greenock and Inverclyde grew significantly in the mid to late 1800s. That meant replacing the roof and windows was ‘not a straightforward task’.
Councillor McCormick added, “Carrying out these improvement works is no mean feat as listed building consents were required and the Municipal Buildings were built around the Town Hall so accessing the roof itself isn’t easy. That’s why lower William Street and the Wallace Place slip road are closed to allow for contractors to safely access certain areas to install scaffolding and set up a site office. But these works are necessary and have been a long time in the planning and will safeguard these historic buildings for many years to come.”
