Cheltenham Town Hall

The building, which was designed by the Gloucester architect Frederick William Waller in the Classical style and built by the Cheltenham firm of Collins and Godfrey, was completed in 1903.[1] The total cost of the building, including internal decoration, fixtures and fittings, was around £45,000.[2] It was formally opened by Sir Michael Hicks Beach MP, a former Chancellor of the Exchequer whose family had long-standing connections with Cheltenham, on 5 December 1903.[2]

The main hall, with Corinthian columns and coved ceiling, measures 92 by 52 feet (28 m × 16 m) and is 53 feet (16 m) high, with a capacity of 1,000 people.[2] There are other smaller rooms, and to the left of the entrance hall, the Central Spa dispenses the waters from all the pump rooms of Cheltenham Spa.[2] The octagonal counter and urns, which are of Doulton ware, are still in use.[2]

In 1916, two plaster-cast statues of Edward VII and George V in coronation robes, made by Messrs R. L. Boulton & Sons of Cheltenham, were placed in alcoves on either side of the main stage.[2] One was a gift from Mr. T. E. Whittaker and the other a gift from Messrs. Boulton themselves.[2] The Town Hall organ was also a gift, from Mr and Mrs Edward J. Burrow, and was installed in 1928.[2]

When resident with the Royal Corps of Signals at the Moray House Hotel (now the Hotel du Vin) from 1943, Sir Norman Wisdom performed at the hall in Army charity concerts, after one of which actor Rex Harrison came backstage and urged him to turn professional.[3]

The Town Hall is now used for concerts, banquets, meetings, dances, balls, exhibitions, conferences and as one of the major homes of Cheltenham Festivals. Plans were announced to refurbish the building in March 2017.[4]

• Cheltenham Town Hall website
• Go behind the scenes with BBC Gloucestershire as the Town Hall plans for Christmas 07