Wilmslow-based exhibition designers, Mather & Co, have been appointed to create a new attraction inside the famous Manchester Town Hall, also known as one of the finest examples of neo-Gothic architecture in the UK.
Mather & Co was successful in a competitive tender to oversee the experience design, content, and interpretation of a new visitor experience.
Sarah Clarke, Managing Director at Mather & Co said “We want visitors of all ages to experience the story of the Town Hall using their senses, through discovery, experimentation, hidden reveals, exploration, and play. We don’t want this experience to be a museum, we want to create a memorable experience with personality.”
The Town Hall, which formally opened in 1877, has been closed since 2018 while the Our Town Hall project – one of the biggest heritage schemes the UK has ever seen – is carried out. The building is being repaired and restored to safeguard it for future generations. At the same time, it is also being sympathetically upgraded to modern safety and access standards.
Part of this huge project involves ensuring that the Town Hall’s story, including tales of the people who have played a part in its long history and the treasure trove of objects they have left behind, is told in an immersive and interactive way.
The exhibition aims to open the famous building up to more visitors, so they can explore the architecture and history of the building and share in the story of the Town Hall. The design will inspire further exploration, repeat visitation, and connect with the people of Manchester in new ways.
By restoring and celebrating this significant building, the objective is to increase access to Mancunians, Greater Manchester communities and tourists, whilst showcasing the vibrancy and culture of Manchester.
Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council Cllr Luthfur Rahman said: “The Our Town Hall project is not just about protecting, preserving and carefully improving this Mancunian masterpiece. It’s also very much about making it more inviting and accessible for everyone.
“This new attraction will open up this beloved building as a destination – giving visitors the chance to explore its fascinating heritage, see more of its collections and learn the fascinating and sometimes surprising stories behind them. It will be a welcome addition to Manchester’s varied cultural scene.
“We welcome the appointment of Mather & Co and once their plans are more developed we look forward to sharing more details of what people can see when Manchester Town Hall reopens in 2024.”
Visitors can expect something that unashamedly represents Manchester through an interactive and immersive experience that tells the unexpected story of the Town Hall.
The new visitor experience is due to open in 2024.
