A new studio on Albert Square will offer a fascinating glimpse into the work of the skilled artisans helping to repair and restore Manchester Town Hall.
The artisan studio will literally give the public a window into some of the work taking place on the Our Town Hall project. Passersby will be able to watch and listen as specialists carry out painstaking and intricate work while explaining what they are doing and how they forged their own careers.
Masons, mosaic-makers, and mancunian apprentices will all be giving demonstrations at the studio, opposite Brazennose Street. Top councillors say the studio will help inspire a new generation of craftspeople.
“Manchester Town Hall is a remarkable asset for the city which is being safeguarded by the largest heritage project currently underway in the UK,” Luthfur Rahman, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said.
“While the work has required specialist skills, it has also given us the opportunity to create a legacy by passing on those skills to a new generation – and inspiring others. We wanted to open up a window on this work and let people see for themselves the care, attention and expertise which are going into this huge undertaking. I’m sure the artisan studio will offer a fascinating behind-the-scenes insight.”
And Richard Denneny, Director of conservation experts Stone Edge, added: “The involvement of our heritage operatives in the Our Town Hall project has been a wonderful journey so far. Through the social value initiative, we have had the opportunity to train three apprentices from the local area and provide them with unique knowledge, skills and experience in the built environment and conservation sector.
“Our first apprenticeship will be formally completed before Christmas this year which is a fantastic achievement. There aren’t many apprentices who can say they have served their time on such an important and prestigious building as Manchester Town Hall. The artisan studio opens up a window into our work that has been underway high up on the Victorian facade and is a great opportunity for people to see first-hand the great work the masons and their apprentices have been undertaking.”
Demonstrations will take place every Wednesday from 12.30pm-1.30pm up to and including Wednesday December 21, resuming in early 2023. Stone Edge will be the first to show their skills up to Christmas, before being followed by Heritage Mosaic, who are restoring the Town Hall’s intricately designed marble piece-patterned floors.
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