Air raid damage uncovered during Leeds Town Hall transformation

Local TV

Damage caused by a devastating Second World War air raid more than 80 years ago has been uncovered during the major redevelopment of historic Leeds Town Hall.

Transcript

00:00Opened in 1858 by Queen Victoria, Leeds Town Hall was designed by famed architect Cuthbert Broderick.

00:08It stands at 225 feet and was the city's tallest building for 108 years.

00:13It's been undergoing a major renovation with the expected reopening date now delayed

00:18due to the discovery of damage caused by a devastating Second World War air raid more than 80 years ago.

00:24The true impact of the 1941 blast had been hidden behind repair work carried out in the aftermath of the bombings

00:32before being exposed during recent work on the iconic building's eastern wing.

00:37The extent of the damage, coupled with the poor quality and ageing post-war repairs,

00:42has meant urgent new modern structural work has been required to make the building safe

00:47and preserve its character for future generations.

00:49This essential additional work, along with the unanticipated replacement of a number of existing floor structures,

00:57will mean the reopening of the building is now expected to take place around the end of 2026.

01:02Records show the German Luftwaffe bombarded Leeds City Centre through the night of March 14th 1941

01:08in what was dubbed the Quarter Blitz, killing 65 people and severely damaging cherished buildings

01:15including the Grade 1 listed Town Hall.

01:17Photos at the time show both the scale of the damage and the mammoth clean-up effort which followed

01:23at a building which was then, and continues to be, a symbol of the city.

01:28The landmark project, which will see the Town Hall redeveloped,

01:31will include the creation of a new accessible entrance, box office and bar.

01:35The famous Leeds Town Hall organ is being lovingly refurbished by specialists,

01:40which will give it an improved sound during concerts and performances.

01:43For a few years, here's the Man Hall, the Man Hall has been a close to the outside,

01:47the Man Hall, the Man Hall has been a close to the outside,

01:49and he's going to take place now for a few years.

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