Town Hall

Town Hall. Built in 1910 by Percy Robinson with W Alban Jones, with an eastern extension of 1937-39 by E.C.P Monson. The building is of Portland stone with a slate roof.

The Edwardian part has a three-bay west facade, with a cupola above an arched recess over the entrance. A sculptural group of Charity by Henry Poole is positioned above the door, and the ground floor has banded rustication. The nine-bay north facade features a sculpture of Justice by Henry Poole within a Diocletion window, topped by a pediment. Tall windows are set within enriched frames on the first floor. The inter-war extension to the east continues the earlier building's cornice line but includes an attic storey. This front is three storeys and nineteen bays wide, with a central, three-bay pedimented section; the second floor of the centrepiece features floral panels, and a relief of the Blind Beggar of Bethnal Green is on the balcony over the entrance.

The interior retains many original features. The Edwardian town hall has an entrance, stairwell, and first-floor landing with veined marble flooring, wall lining, and balusters, lit by a glazed dome. Armorial glass is found in the stairwell. Along the Cambridge Heath Road elevation are two Committee Rooms and the former Mayor’s Parlour, lined with Austrian oak panelling. The former Council Chamber is opposite the stairs; the original stage and public gallery have been enclosed for office use. Plaster figures by Henry Poole depicting Truth and Happiness are on the west wall, and Industry and Temperance on the east (currently obscured).

The 1937-39 extension includes a marble-lined entrance hall with an inlaid marble floor and an imperial staircase, faced with Travertine, and containing numerous original light fittings, stair posts, square columns, and pilasters faced in veined brown-grey marble. The first-floor landing has pedimented door surrounds of Hopton Wood stone. The New Council Chamber contains its original benches, desks, mayor's seat, and gallery, all panelled with Australian walnut, and has heraldic glass. A sequence of former Committee Rooms line the Patriot Square elevation with maple veneer panelling and folding doors. The Former Mayor’s Room has mahogany panelling, a contemporary fireplace, shelving, and a teak floor. An identical room is positioned opposite.