Historic Town Hall could become formal events venue

Up until 2017, the Grade II listed building on Leicester Street, Walsall was used for a range of events before it struggled to cover the costs of managing the hire. 

Since then, the Town Hall has hosted mainly council functions and has occasionally served as a set for television productions. 

The council recognised that making the building available to hire for formal, larger events would be a way of generating income for the cash-strapped council. But while it could bring in money, the Town Hall would require significant investment to bring toilet facilities and the bar and kitchen up to scratch. 

Councillor Adrian Andrew, making the proposals, warned that ‘whatever happens, it will cost money’. Along with the concerns over renovation costs, the Town Hall lacks the amount of parking required to host big events. 

The building, opened in 1903, is celebrated for its Baroque architecture and historical significance, including its pipe organ, dedicated to Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. It is one of Walsall Council’s 302 estate assets. 

The assets combined have an estimated value of up to £350million and cost around £7 million each year to run them. The council has secured grant funding to do a feasibility study into whether the Town Hall could be brought back into use.

The study will evaluate potential uses to maximise the site’s long-term viability. Usage possibilities include performance spaces, council meeting rooms, and hospitality facilities.