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Bromley Old Town Hall removed from Historic England at Risk Register after £20m refurbishment

By: Alan Smith ajsmith@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 10:44, 27 December 2023

The successful restoration of a landmark town building has seen it removed from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register after 14 years.

Bromley Old Town Hall was built in two phases – in 1907 and in 1939.

Bromley Old Town Hall today

But the Grade II listed building fell into disrepair in 2007 and two years later was in such a bad state it was labelled as “at risk.”

However, a sensitive restoration of the historic structure has now seen it returned to its former glory.

The building reopened earlier this year as a Clockwise co-working office space and 23-bedroom boutique hotel along with a public restaurant.

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Heritage features have been retained and restored, including art deco fluted marble columns, stained glass windows and stairways from the 1930s.

Historic England’s Heritage at Risk projects officer, Verena McCaig, said: “It is wonderful that the historic fabric of the former Town Hall has been conserved.

“We are pleased that the building has been crafted into spaces that reflect the character of the building and that customers can appreciate using.”

The impressive entrance lobby
The members' lounge
Even the cell doors in the basement have been retained

“We congratulate all involved.”

The restoration was carried out by real estate investor Castleforge – at a cost of £20m.

Michael Kovacs, a founding partner of the firm, said: “Bromley Old Town Hall has been a landmark for the local community for over 100 years and it was an incredibly exciting opportunity for us to preserve its history.

“The repairs and refurbishments have breathed new life into the disused space.

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“We look forward to welcoming Clockwise members, hotel guests and the local community for years to come.”

The Old Town Hall was one of 41 sites historic sites in London saved and removed from the Heritage at Risk Register in 2023. It leaves 599 still at risk in London boroughs.

How the building looked in the 1930s

In total, there are 453 entries across the South East on the at Risk Register with 15 sites added this year and two in Kent saved.

Among those to be added was the Dane John Mound, a historic monument and prominent feature in the Dane John Gardens in Canterbury.

The Grade II-listed Simmons memorial was added following huge visitor numbers which have left the structure in need of repair.

However, elsewhere in the county other historic Kent buildings - including Sheerness Dockyard Church in Sheppey - have been removed from the Heritage at Risk Register thanks to £9.5m funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The site was engulfed in flames and burned down to rubble after a huge blaze in May 2001.

But after two decades of being left to rot without a roof, the building was overhauled and transformed into an enterprise centre named Island Works.

Bromley Old Town Hall has recently been recognized as a regional finalist by the Civic Trust Awards. Winners will be announced in January 2024.

The building has celebrity appeal as well as it is where David Bowie married Mary Barnett in 1970.

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