Leeds Town Hall
By Gregor Gosciniak

18 September 2005: Leeds Town Hall was opened in 1858 after the city experienced a period of rapid expansion, which led to a growth in civic pride. A group of wealthy local people organised and announced a competition for the design of a new Town Hall, which, in 1852, was won by Cuthbert Brodrick, a young architect from Hull. Today, the building is a famous example of Victorian architecture reflecting the power and wealth of the era.

On 7 September 1858 Queen Victoria opened Leeds Town Hall and the Great Hall, which was dedicated to her. Ever since the Great Hall has been known as the Victoria Hall. Victoria Hall houses a magnificent organ, which has an estimated value of £1.3 million.

The Town Hall was built from millstone grit taken from various quarries, while Darley Dale stone was used for many of its columns. Due to excessive pollution caused by heavy industry in Leeds, the stone became covered in a black coating. Some believe that Brodrick especially chose that particular kind of stone to achieve precisely this effect. In 1867 four stone lions made of Portland stone were added to the four plinths beside the main entrance. The sculptor was William Day Keyworth.

In 1890 the balcony In the Victoria Hall was replaced by a larger structure, and in 1895 Victoria Hall was redecorated by John Dibble Crace, the son of the original decorator.

Leeds Civic Hall was opened in 1933 housing a new council chamber and taking over many of the functions of the Town Hall. The mayor's office was moved there and so were the offices of council officials.

At the Town Hall, the former council chamber functioned as a Crown court until a new combined Court House was opened.

In September 1978 the ornate plaster decorations in the Victoria Hall began to crumble dangerously with fragments dropping from the ceiling. After an inspection the ceiling was found to be in a precarious condition.

Victoria Hall had to be closed and it was decided to restore the damaged plaster, and to completely redecorate the hall and the vestibule. This was done making sure that the original designs were exactly reproduced. After completion of the renovation in 1979, Victoria Hall could be reopened.

The Town Hall has always been a public building used for many purposes such as banquets, balls and concerts, but it was also used for council business. Today’s Town Hall is still used for a variety of purposes. Leeds City Leisure Service is based there and numerous events are still held in Victoria Hall. Albert Room as well as a number of smaller rooms are popular places for venues of all kinds. Extensive restoration and refurbishment of the building was carried out to improve standards of comfort and provide new facilities.