Grand re-opening of Kidderminster Town Hall
The Grand Re-Opening of Kidderminster Town Hall took place last week with the Mayor of Kidderminster welcoming many of those who took part in the redevelopment, as well as dignitaries from across the Wyre Forest District, and surrounding areas.
Renovations at the Town Hall have been ongoing since January 2024. The ambitious project was several years in the making and the Grade II-listed building has undergone major upgrades, including a refurbished café area, new dressing rooms, and other improvements. Guests at the event were able to see first-hand the result of the last 2 years’ developments, including the Music Room and the Courtyard bar and cafe.
After the £12 million redevelopment, the Town Hall has welcomed its first live acts – Mathew Horne and Imagine Lennon have so far performed in the new Music Room, ahead of the official launch event.
At the opening event, guests enjoyed Angela Allard performing on the Steinway grand piano and also Tim Morris on the wonderful William Hill organ, which is such an impressive feature in the newly refurbished Music Room. Afterwards there was an exclusive performance from well-known Kidderminster band, Blind Lemon as part of the opening ceremony.
The Mayor of Kidderminster, Councillor Doug Hine welcomed all of the guests at the opening event and said he was delighted to officially reopen the beautifully transformed Town Hall. He then went on to unveil a commemorative plaque and carry out the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon. He added that the occasion marked a proud moment for the town, celebrating both its rich heritage and its bright future as a centre for community and culture.
Hugh Peacocke, The Chief Executive Officer of the Council, thanked all the Council Members and Officers, past and present, who had contributed so much to the project over the past 6 years. He also thanked Wyre Forest District Council for their support, as well as the main contractors, Speller Metcalfe and the team of consultants who worked on the project.
Mr. Matt Smith, The Town Hall Manager, said he was incredibly proud to see the doors of Kidderminster Town Hall reopen after its major transformation, and said the project had been “a true labour of love” for everyone involved – turning a historic landmark into a modern, welcoming space for the whole community.
Councillor Dan Morehead, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Planning and the Green Agenda at Wyre Forest District Council, said: “This is a very special moment in the life story of Kidderminster Town Hall. The landmark building has been beautifully restored to take its place as a key town centre heritage asset, a cultural space and events venue. We are delighted to have been able to support Kidderminster Town Council to regenerate the Town Hall with funding secured through the Government’s Levelling Up programme which has seen £17.9 million investment in Kidderminster town centre. This is a first-class representation of how public money can really make a difference not only to the look and feel of town centres but to the present and future quality of cultural life for residents, businesses and visitors.”
Mark Hudgeon, Regional Director at Speller Metcalfe, the main contractor on the project, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have played a key role in the restoration of Kidderminster Town Hall – a landmark that holds such significance for the local community. This project has sensitively combined the preservation of the building’s historic character with modern performance standards, ensuring it remains a vibrant, sustainable venue for generations to come.”
The Town Hall will be open to the public from 10.30 am on Saturday 8th November, with the new Courtyard bar and café open from 11 am. All are welcome and encouraged to experience the new Town Hall, with live performances, free of charge, throughout the day on the main stage of the newly renovated Music Room.
