Luton Town Hall

Luton Town Hall is a town hall dating from 1935-36, with alterations around 1960. It was designed by Bradshaw Gass and Hope, architects, of Bolton. The building is constructed of Portland stone facing onto brickwork, with carved stone detailing. A copper-clad mansard roof was added around 1960. It is an example of Neo-classical architecture with Art Deco detailing. The plan is a splayed ‘U’ shape, with the main elevation facing south-east along George Street. Ranges extend northwards and to the west, with the Council Chamber, semi-circular in shape, facing north to the rear.

The front elevation (south-east) is four storeys above a basement, with five bays, the central bay projecting forward and topped with a pediment. A “diastyle in antis” entrance features Doric columns, flanked by curved ranges of two bays rising from a shallow plinth. The main entrance has a moulded surround and a bracketed cornice with a small balcony above. The clock tower of 144 feet rises above a stepped base, incorporating the coat of arms of Luton Borough Council. The tower has three stages, a shallow domed cap, and a finial. There are nine-foot diameter clock faces on each facade of the first stage. The flanking ranges have multi-paned metal window frames in moulded surrounds. Shallow two-light windows are located behind a shallow parapet on the third floor, with three-light openings below the added mansard roof. Similar detailing is found on the flanking ranges of seven bays to the north and eleven bays to the west, both with secondary entrances. A bronze lantern is wall-mounted on the west side.

The interior’s main entrance has metal-framed windows in an Art Deco style. Bronze screen doors lead to the entrance hall, which has a gilt coat of arms above glazed bronze doors. The staircase hall features decorative bronze screens as radiator grilles. The ornate staircase has bronze balustrading and thistle and rose decorative motifs. Principal first-floor rooms, including committee rooms, the Mayor’s Parlour, and the Council Chamber, are accessed from corridors leading from the stair head. The original timber, plaster, and metal fittings and finishes, a blend of Neo-classical and Art Deco styles, survive in these areas, and are especially noteworthy in the Council Chamber and Committee Room 2.

The design for the Town Hall was chosen through a competition with 86 entries in 1930. A fire, caused by the Peace Riots of July 19th, 1919, destroyed the earlier town hall of 1847.

This is a notable example of Inter-War municipal architecture that retains much original detail, both externally and internally, including architect-designed fixtures and fittings. The building was designed to create a powerful and highly visible landmark in Luton town centre, a role it continues to fulfil despite subsequent redevelopment. It forms a group with the War Memorial, which is also listed.