Walworth Town Hall Reopens After Twelve Years of Restoration and Renewal
After a devastating fire, Walworth Town Hall has reopened, transforming into a vibrant hub for local businesses and community activities
Walworth, Southwark, Town Hall, Fire, Restoration, Community, Business
Walworth: It’s been quite a journey for the Walworth Town Hall. After being closed for over a decade due to a fire, it’s finally back in action. This historic building, which dates back to 1865, has undergone some serious renovations.
The place is now buzzing with life again, serving as a workspace for businesses and entrepreneurs. The developers, General Projects, have done a fantastic job. They’ve created spaces that can accommodate over 550 workers!
What’s really cool is that they’re offering young entrepreneurs a chance to kickstart their ideas without any costs for the first six months. Plus, they’ll get paired with mentors to help guide them along the way.
The lobby has been revamped too, featuring a new community center and café. The community space is already up and running, and the café is set to open soon. It’s all about bringing people together.
Even the ex-council chamber, which was heavily damaged in the fire, has been beautifully restored. They’ve reconstructed the vaulted ceiling and refinished the original oak floors. It’s like stepping back in time but with a modern twist!
Just yesterday, Southwark councillors held their first meeting in the town hall in over ten years. It must have felt great to be back in such an iconic place.
The architects behind the redesign, Feix and Merlin, have really made it shine. They added a grand staircase and a new entrance that opens up to Walworth Square, making it even more inviting.
Frederic Schwass from General Projects shared that they aimed to create a new model for revitalizing historic buildings. And it looks like they’ve succeeded! The town hall is now ready for a new generation to enjoy.
Cllr Helen Dennis expressed her excitement about the reopening, highlighting the importance of the building to the local community. It’s a treasure that’s finally back in use, and everyone’s eager to see what’s next!