POTENTIAL new layouts for Ashton-under-Lyne’s town hall after long-awaited refurbishment have been revealed.
The building, which sits in the heart of the centre, has been closed for more than a decade.
However, work on its entrance steps to the market place is commencing and now proposals for what would be an estimated £24.6 million project are being put forward.
A meeting of Tameside Council’s executive cabinet will discuss them at its meeting on Wednesday, February 18.
Among ideas in several options are the inclusion of a coffee shop to the left of the staircase as you look at it from the market ground and an extension to the rear.
New lifts and improvement of the rear façade, which backs on to Wellington Road, are also tabled.
Documents also suggest many of the original features would be retained, including in the town hall’s ballroom and its council chamber.
Another would see an extension connection to the neighbouring Tameside One building while others would see the existing extension demolished, with a new one being put to the north, with the inclusion of a restaurant.
Tameside Council’s aim is the full restoration of the Grade II listed building, which may house a new facility for the Museum of the Manchester Regiment, by 2030.
And it is set to hold a public engagement exercise in Ashton to capture feedback and comments on the proposals, which also include a new accessible entrance, ahead of making a planning and listed building consent application.
However, the total cost puts the scheme beyond the limit of money Ashton received from the former Government through its Levelling Up Fund.
And a report states: “Once listed building consent is received, the council will seek further external grant funding contributions towards the full restoration costs.
“The long-term viable future of Ashton Town Hall is an important component in the wider plans for Ashton town centre.
“Whilst the heritage importance of the building lies in its classical façade, it is noted that there are significant challenges associated with securing a long-term sustainable use for the building interior.
“The development of more detailed proposals for the town hall has taken place in this context and is consistent with the council’s long-term approach to the regeneration of Ashton town centre.
“The study identifies how an extension could be constructed to the rear of Ashton Town Hall, where it was formally attached to the now demolished TAC building.
“This could provide a new accessible lobby space, accessible ground floor entrance, new feature staircase and new public lifts.
“On the ground floor/basement level a new restaurant space could be developed with direct access from Wellington Road. A coffee shop could be incorporated with direct access on to Market Square.
“This approach would help to reinstate Ashton Town Hall as a key heritage asset and focal point within the local area.”