The 153-year-old Victorian attraction set to reopen in the UK after £20million renovation
A GRADE-II listed attraction in the UK which dates back more than 150 years is to reopen this year.
After being forced to close back in 2020, it will reopen after a four-year, £20million renovation.
Rochdale Town Hall was built back in 1871 by William Crossland, as an ode to the region's textile industry.
Taking seven years to build - first being confirmed in 1864 - original plans said it would cost £20,000, although this soared to £80,000 (around £12.7million in todays money).
However, over the years it fell into disrepair despite having ornate stylings "only rivalled by the Palace of Westminster," and was forced to close four years ago.
Following additional £8.9million funding by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, improvements have included restoring many of the original features, as well as opening new spaces and rooms.
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A new visitor attraction and community space will also be part of the reopening.
Also new is The Martlet Kitchen will will serve "seasonal, locally sourced" food ranging from cafe lunches and afternoon teas, as all as fine dining on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Rochdale council leader Neil Emmott said: ‘Rochdale town hall is probably one of the finest examples of neogothic architecture in the country, but like many buildings this old, it was showing its age.
"Now, after four years of painstaking work, it looks incredible, just as it would have done when it first opened its doors well over a century ago."
There are lots of events coming up too.
The six-day, Festival of Ideas will take place from March 4 just outside the new town hall, with a live concert from the Black Dyke Band on March 5.
In April there is the Mayor's Charity Ball inside, with the Rochdale Feel Good Festival in August.
You can even hire the venue for events, and get married inside.
The venue will open from March 3.
In the mean time, there is lots to do in the town including the Rochdale Pioneer's Museum and Touchstone Rochdale Museum.
And you can stay on a budget with Travelodge and Premier Inn hotels, or splurge on a Hampton by Hilton.
The UK has a number of other exciting Grade II renovation projects reopening soon.
The 117-year-old Edwardian Mosely Road Baths is hoping to reopen next year.
One of the oldest listed swimming pools still operating in the UK, it first opened in 1907, but had to close last October ahead of the £15.5million project.
Reopening from spring 2025, inside will be a new cafe, gym and wellbeing hub too.
And BroomHill Pool in Ipswich, which was forced to close 22 years ago, also hopes to open.
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The Grade-II listed lido was one of the first modernist creations in the UK, with a £10million redevelopment hoping to include a grandstand and wellbeing centre.
Also opening in 2025 is the 138-year-old funicular in Folkestone, which closed six years ago.