By George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporting Service
HYDE’S town hall is to receive almost £1 million of work to its roof to stop leaks.
Water getting into and degrading the Market Street structure and has been a growing problem, particularly in the last year.
But a meeting of Tameside Council’s executive cabinet on Wednesday, June 25 will give the go ahead to £950,000 worth of work to repair the roof and refurbish the inside.
Documents state: “The roof is in poor condition and is overdue major refurbishment works to ensure that the building is watertight.
“Some works are also required to refurbish the building internally, to repair damage caused by repeated water ingress in several locations.
“The building has suffered several incidences of major water ingress during the winter of 2024/25 as well as in previous years.
“The building managers have noted that the incidences are becoming both more frequent and increasingly serious.
“Areas affected have included the main feature stairwell, Hyde Library, the Rutherford Suite, Business Centre and the area adjacent to the MP’s office.”
The Grade II-listed building, which officially opened in 1885, will see the work done to ensure it is fit for purpose so the children’s services staff based there can deliver the department improvement without disruption.
However, a report told how major work has not exactly been regular, adding: “The building benefitted from a light refurbishment in 2015, an upgrade of the heating plant and asbestos removal in the basement and undercroft areas took place in 2024 but has not seen any other significant investment other than routine repairs.
“With every incidence of water ingress, further damage is caused to the internal roof structure, ceilings, floors and wall finishes within the building.
“As well as being costly to repair, the staining and efflorescence is also unsightly for users of the building.”
The programme is scheduled to complete the works by the end of February 2026.
The town hall is expected to be the centrepiece in an overhaul for Hyde.
A repurposed building, the overhaul of Clarendon Square Shopping Centre, creation of a more attractive public realm and a redesign of the markets are all touted in a masterplan.
Under the local authority’s vision, the public realm upgrades to Market Square will prioritise the use of the square for cultural events, festivals, pop-ups, and placemaking activities that bring vibrancy, excitement, and diversity to the town centre.
The idea behind this is to link the newly refurbished shopping centre and Market Square to the town hall.
And the report continues: “There is an intention to expand the external/commercial events in Hyde Town Hall, to bring additional revenue into the council.
“But in order to do this, buildings must be fit for purpose and in good condition to let for public activities.”