The restored façade of Bolton Town Hall is to be revealed early next week after lengthy work to repair it.
Bolton Council had hoped to remove the last of the scaffolding covering the front of the building prior to the town’s food and drink festival which is taking place over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
However, preparations for the three day festival on Victoria Square meant the final removal of structures needed for the restoration will only be taken down early next week.
At a meeting of Bolton’s full council, Coun Sean Hornby asked about the refurbishment.
He said: “We are very proud in Bolton of Le Mans Crescent and our magnificent Town Hall.
“What is the situation on the repairs and restoration?
“How long will it be before we see this magnificent building free from scaffolding and looking at its best?”
Council leader Martyn Cox, said: “We inherited this fantastic Victorian building from our forefathers.
“People who used to sit in this chamber gave us this magnificent palace.
“It’s our responsibility to hand it on to the next generations.
“A significant piece of masonry fell from the portico at the front of the town hall but thankfully nobody was underneath at the time.
“We decided the portico needed a full refurbishment which has been a hugely expensive job.
“I’m proud we’ve done a thorough and proper job.
“The work is finished, the scaffolding will be coming down directly after the food and drink festival.
“I wish it had come down before the festival but I’ve been told the two operations would get in each other’s way.
“So unfortunately it will be covered up this weekend but next week the scaffolding should come down and the magnificence of our down hall will be revealed for all to see.”
During the work the nine historic sculptures above the entrance were repaired and cleaned in a ‘once in a generation’ project at the listed building, which was built between 1866 and 1873.
The pediment sculpture group is described as ‘an important work’ by the sculptor William Calder Marshall, symbolising the commerce and manufacturing underpinning Bolton’s wealth at the time of its construction.
Parts of it were described as being at risk of ‘potential collapse’ if fractures and corrosion are left unchecked.
The central figure represents Bolton, with a mural crown, holding a shield on which is the borough coat of arms.
The figures to the right and left represent ‘manufacture’ and commerce’.
Other elements of the sculpture include ‘wheat’, ‘earth’, ‘child with a basket of cotton’, ‘boy holding a boat by the bow’, ‘ocean’ and ‘fish’.
