West Bromwich Town Hall

Old buildings are awesome and town halls have an amazing sense of pomp and grandeur to them whilst still seeming sparse and under utilised. I have attended many community events here and whilst i’m a huge fan of this Grade II listed building I fear that it’s swanky refurbishment and the addition of a bar to make this more of a venue may see the hire prices rise dramatically for those who want to use it for community events.
The Town Hall, situated in the centre of High Street, was built between 1874 and 1875 in brick and stone to an Italian Gothic design of the architects Alexander & Henman of Stockton-​on-​Tees, Middlesbrough and the building contractors were Trow & Sons of Wednesbury. I love how it was kept a little bit local in all that international flavour and national architect firms. This is just one of many great gothic inspired buildings in West Brom and it has all the standard trappings of a town hall from that time in that it’s fit for purpose and has a good organ and viewing gallery.
Whilst I love it when music artists like Laura Marling perform in such spaces I do wonder on its effect on the little people who have used the space for it’s tea dances and events for such a long time. Fingers crossed the council get this one right,