Work at Ripon’s Town Hall has revealed that the condition of the front of the building is so bad in places that rendering could have fallen onto the pavement below, putting people at risk.
The restoration work has also uncovered evidence that the façade was once GREEN.
The historic Town Hall is currently undergoing repair and renovation work. Contractors have discovered that the rendering on the building in one corner is in a very poor state.
The City’s Mayor, Cllr Andrew Williams, says it wouldn’t have taken much for it to fall away, especially in wind and rain this autumn.
He added that in view it was the result of both the former Harrogate Borough Council and the current North Yorkshire Council not giving the building enough attention before responsibility for it was transferred to Ripon City Council.
He said he will now be pressing the council in Northallerton to make a contribution to the cost of repairs.
Meanwhile, it’s been discovered under 25 layers of paint that the Grade II Listed building was once green. However the restoration will see a return to more original off-white limewash for the final finish.
As part of the work they will preserving the famous decorative frieze and parapet inscription that reads: “EXCEPT YE LORD KEEP YE CITTIE YE WAKEMAN WAKETH IN VAIN”.
Ripon mayor, Councillor Andrew Williams, said: “With the building now managed by Ripon City Council’s we want to open up more of the building and give it a fuller role in the life of the city. A place where the city can hold civic and community events, and welcome schools, businesses and visitors.”