Rutherglen Town Hall

Rutherglen Town Hall is a municipal facility in Rutherglen, Scotland. It is a Category A listed building.[1]

Rutherglen Town Hall
Rutherglen Town Hall
Location139-143 Main Street
Rutherglen
G73 2JJ
Coordinates55.8286°N 4.2144°W / 55.8286; -4.2144
Built1862
ArchitectCharles Wilson
Architectural style(s)Scottish baronial style
Listed Building – Category A
Designated4 March 1971
Reference no.LB33564
Shown in South Lanarkshire

History

The building, on the north side of Main Street, was designed by Charles Wilson in the Scottish baronial style and completed in 1862.[1] Featuring a 110 feet (34 m) four-sided asymmetric clock tower, it was later extended to the east with a three-story office block in 1877.[2] It replaced an earlier town hall, known latterly as "the old jail", built in 1766, although the two structures coexisted almost alongside each other until 1900.[3]

It was the seat of government of Rutherglen Burgh Council until it was gutted during a conversion to offices in 1967,[2] and became surplus to requirements after the town was absorbed into Glasgow District under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 in May 1975.[4] It was then closed to the public in the 1980s and fell into a state of disrepair.[5]

It was refurbished and extended with the addition of a twin-level glass atrium to the rear at a cost of £12 million (supported by Historic Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund for Scotland) in 2004.[6][7] It continues to be used as a venue for weddings, theatrical performances and exhibitions,[8][9] while still providing some local services such as the Licensing and Registration Office.[10]

  • Elevated view of Main Street from the east with the tower of the town hall prominent
  • Exterior detail of the original Grand Hall
  • View from south showing 1877 east extension
  • View of the clock tower

Rutherglen's other Category A listed buildings are located very near to the town hall: a mediaeval churchyard with clock tower is situated immediately to the west, while St Columbkilles RC Church (completed in 1940) is directly opposite on the other side of Main Street. There are also several Category B structures in close proximity (library, Old Parish Church, statue of Dr Gorman, tenement adjoining the town hall's east wing).[7][11]

See also

References
  1. Historic Environment Scotland. "131, 139 Main Street, Rutherglen, District Council offices (originally town hall)  (Category A) (LB33564)". Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  2. "Rutherglen Town Hall". Dictionary of Scottish Architects. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  3. Shearer, Ross (1926). "Rutherglen Lore" (PDF). Ruglonians Society. p. 161.
  4. "Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973". Legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  5. "How Rutherglen Town Hall was brought back to its best". Daily Record. 4 March 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  6. "Portfolio: Rutherglen Town Hall". Honeyman Jack & Robertson Chartered Architects. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  7. Rutherglen Conservation Area: Character Appraisal, South Lanarkshire Council, 2008
  8. "Rutherglen Town Hall". South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  9. Rutherglen Town Hall: 10 Reasons To Choose This Scottish Wedding Venue, White Rose Wedding Venues
  10. "Licensing and Registration Office – Rutherglen". South Lanarkshire Council. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  11. Listed Buildings in Rutherglen Central and North Ward, South Lanarkshire, British Listed Buildings
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