Christchurch town hall is an interesting building detailed on this website (
visit link) :
'The Old Town Hall
Mayor's Parlour
The Old Town Hall, a Grade II Listed building, was constructed on its present site in 1859 when the old Civic Offices occupied what is now Saxon Square. The Civic Offices moved to Bridge Street in 1980 and the following year all the buildings except the Old Town Hall were demolished as part of a scheme of redevelopment of the Town Centre.
To complement the Saxon Square development it was decided to refurbish the building and reinstate the Mayor's Parlour into the new restored building. In April 1983 the Old Town Hall was officially opened with the ground floor having been restored to its original open arch design to permit access to Saxon Square.
It is currently used for council members to assemble when joining civic functions such as Remembrance Sunday and the Civic Service, and for formal entertainment of visitors and local people by the Mayor.
In recent years the building has suffered from many problems associated with a building of its age. When restoration work to the exterior stonework, roof and paintwork was carried out in 1996, the opportunity was taken to carry out some refurbishment to the interior.
Hiring the Old Town Hall
The Old Town Hall is available for hire for holding functions and events such as:
* Hospitality to VIPs
* Board Meetings
* Training Events
* Corporate Presentations
* Exhibitions
The Old Town Hall can accommodate a maximum of 30 people although there is seating for only about 18. It can be set up in various styles from a formal meeting room to a theatre style conference. Visual aids such as projectors, screens, televisions and videos are also available to aid your presentations.
Catering is permitted although this will have to be arranged by the hirer.
Regrettably, the following functions cannot be held in the Old Town Hall:
* Parties
* Retail Events
* Weddings
* Wedding Receptions
* Individual's Social Events (Birthdays/Anniversaries)
For more information, please contact the Mayor's Secretary.
* Democratic Services and Mayoralty Officer
Name: Mrs Hannah Kewley
Email: h.kewley@christchurch.gov.uk
Tel: 01202 495134'
The town hall is preserved and has several plaques detailing its history:
The blue plaque reads:
'Millennium Trail
Originally constructed in 1746
in the Market Place at the junction
with the High Street and Castle Street
THE TOWN HALL
was rebuilt on this site in 1860 by public
subscription generously supported by
the Borough's MP, Admiral John
Edward Walcott of Winkton Lodge
Christchurch Local History Society'
Inside the town hall is a stone plaque which reads:
'CHRISTCHURCH MARKET HELD IN THE HIGH STREET FROM ABOUT 1150 TO 1871 WAS RE-OPENED HERE ON THE 31ST MAY 1976 BY THE MAYOR OF CHRISTCHURCH COUNCILLOR ERIC N. SPREADBURY.'
On the outside of the town hall a plaque details:
'SAXON SQUARE SHOPPING CENTRE
was opened by His Worship the Mayor of Christchurch
Councillor Kenneth W.L. Gibbs 28th September 1983.
This Centre was developed by Town and City Properties Ltd.
in partnership with Christchurch Borough Council
and acquired by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada.'