Approval to kick-start Manchester Town Hall work

Outline plans to repair and refurbish Manchester Town Hall have been given the go-ahead by councillors.A meeting of the city council’s executive committee approved proposals to upgrade the building, which was built between 1868 and 1877, at a cost of about £330m.The move follows the findings of a survey which said the condition of the grade I-listed building’s stonework, windows and roof is deteriorating and requires intervention.More than 54,000 parts of the building fabric need attention in total, of which 40 per cent require immediate repair or replacement. This figure is expected to rise to 85 per cent within five years if action is not taken. It is intended that the one-off cost of the project would be largely met through long-term borrowing at low rates and would not impact on day-to-day service budgets.It is understood that further detailed work is now needed to finalise the scale and timing of works, carefully evaluate options and determine the full potential for commercial elements and third-party funding support, which could help reduce the final cost.