Restoration of West Bromwich Town Hall
Lead products used:
• Code 6 and Code 4 lead.
• Patination Oil, to protect and enhance the appearance of finished leadwork.
• Fixing Clips and larger flashing clips used for efficiency.
• Lead Sealant.
• Building Paper.
• Woodcore Roll.
• Copper Coil Clip.
Contact:
If you have a project needing expertise in lead used for heritage projects, then get in touch with us to discuss how we can help. Call us on +44 (0) 1283 224 555
The Project
The West Bromwich Town Hall and Central Library are both heritage assets and are ideally located at the centre of the town in the proposed Cultural Action Zone (CAZ) in West Bromwich and will act as a bridge between the town’s past and future.
Situated in the centre of High Street, West Bromwich Town Hall and Library was built between 1874 and 1875 in brick and stone to an Italian Gothic Design of Alexander & Henman architects. The investment will transform the Town Hall and Central Library (built in 1907) into a modern and vibrant facility to benefit local people and community groups and third sector organisations bringing it back into the heart of the community.
The project is set for completion later in 2024. A key part of the restoration involved the careful replacement of the slated roof, which NRA completed in just four weeks. Much of the original timber needed replacement, including bullnose detailing, to enhance the roof’s durability while preserving its original design.
The refurbishment also included replacing most of the lead details on the roof to replicate the original designs. This work involved recreating the scalloped lead design on the timber-framed dormers. Each piece was welded with hidden seams to wrap around and protect the original timber, preserving the beauty and uniqueness of the building.
Overview (Quick Facts)
- Restoration of Town Hall to its former glory.
- Code 4 and Code 6 lead used.
- Installed new timber bullnose detail.
- Careful restoration of original dormers.
Delivering the Solution
Ashley Kennie, Contracts Manager at NRA, led the project, stating: “Working with historic buildings can present many challenges, especially as we uncover parts of the original structure. West Bromwich Hall is a beautiful building, and we have enjoyed focusing on the details.
“Midland Lead supplied the Code 6 lead used for the dormer detailing, featuring hidden welding for a seamless finish. Lead is an ideal choice for construction projects, especially in heritage roofing, because it is both easy to work with and highly malleable. Our customers also appreciate its sustainable qualities.”
