As the 20 million pound renovation of Rochdale Town Hall neared its completion, the project team required a company capable of designing and installing a challenging feature bar quickly and with guaranteed precision. Dawnvale was honoured to step in and contribute our bar expertise to this historic undertaking.

Rochdale Town Hall, a Grade 1 listed landmark, has undergone a remarkable four-year transformation to restore its former glory. Every detail, from its decorative ceilings to its stunning Gothic Revival architecture, reflects the rich heritage of the town.

Among the various elements of this project, the main bar was a particularly significant feature. Although it was a relatively small project compared to our usual works, the grade 1 listing imposed numerous restrictions. With King Charles scheduled to attend the grand opening, we faced an exceptionally tight timeline.

For the main bar area, we began by designing stainless steel internal bar structure using our proprietary bar-made system as the foundation. Preserving the historic integrity of the site, we incorporated the original bar frontage into the design.

To enhance the aesthetic, we topped the bar with Green Army quartz featuring a double bullnose edge. Due to the building’s listed status, we had to mount the stemware racks directly to the worktop, as additional overhead fixings were prohibited.

As a finishing touch, we added elegant brass kick rails, ensuring the bar not only met functional requirements but also complemented the timeless beauty of Rochdale Town Hall.

For the back bar, we selected timber that matched the traditional frontage, complemented by a mirrored back and backlit LEDs. This combination provided a modern touch to the classic design.

Creating the back bar presented a unique challenge. Due to the building’s heritage status, we couldn't attach anything to the back walls. To overcome this, we developed a freestanding structure that adhered to preservation guidelines while maintaining functionality and style.

An intriguing feature of this bar is its location in a room that doubles as a wedding venue. To respect the formality of wedding ceremonies, we installed electric roller shutters that can be lowered to obscure the bottles from view during events. This thoughtful addition ensures the space is versatile, seamlessly transitioning between a lively bar and an elegant wedding setting.

As part of the Rochdale Town Hall renovation, we were tasked with creating two additional bars, each with a unique twist. These bars needed to be semi-permanent, remaining in place most of the time but also capable of being easily removed and stored when necessary. To accommodate this requirement, they had to fit into the service lift. While this presented an interesting challenge, our bar-made system proved ideal for these split bars.

The first bar was designed with a traditional aesthetic. Featuring an oak frontage and a matching oak back bar, the bar split into two large sections, while the back bar split into three. When assembled, the joins were neatly hidden, giving the appearance of a permanent installation.

The second bar embraced a more modern style, with grey and red stained timber on the front. Located on an upper floor and moved more frequently, this bar was divided into four manageable sections, with the back bar again split into three.

While our contribution was a small part of the overall renovation, we are proud to have been involved in this historic local project. The spectacular transformation of Rochdale Town Hall has made it a must-visit landmark, showcasing its architectural beauty and historical significance.

The effort put in by everyone involved has been tremendous, and we are honoured to have played our part. Rochdale Town Hall stands as a beautiful testament to its history and a revitalized centrepiece of the community.