Built in 1901 at a cost of £7,300 and designed by Geoffrey Lucas and E.W. Mountford. It was the second town hall as the previous one was too small. The larger space and better facilities meant that more performances, events and social activities thrived here for many years. Its future is in doubt as they cannot compete with more modern places.

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Hitchin Town Hall Photos

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About Hitchin Town Hall

This building of Hitchin Town Hall boasts a neo-Georgian style with a lantern turret. It was constructed in 1901 on the site of the W.H. Jelly tin plate works, by the local builders Mathew Foster & Co.

Considering this was designed at the end of the 19th century it was clearly thought-out with a modern social context in mind, because inside the main hall is a properly sprung wooden dance floor, a separate bar and toilet facilities. For this reason, the future success of the hall was guaranteed.

Although, strictly speaking, this was in fact the second attempt to rectify an earlier flaw by the council since Hitchin already had a town hall. The first one was designed by the architect Thomas Bellamy but as it soon appeared to be too small and limited in its capacity they then set out to build another.

The designs for this building were drawn up in 1898 by Geoffrey Lucas and E.W. Mountford., although there’s some discussion about who played what role.

At the back of the stage is a set of stairs leading into the basement. This is where the changing rooms are located.

The construction of the Town Hall cost a grand sum of £7,300, equivalent to half a million pounds today. It was immediately put to good use hosting large performances and events with relative ease, compared to the previous town hall. The new hall was therefore considered a success for many years.

The other rooms on the ground floor include a large kitchin and bar. Also annexed to the building is a sports hall which was added later and obviously caters to sport enthusiasts and even local clubs.

Some of the advertising material for those early amateur drama and light opera shows can be seen in the Hitchin Museum across the street. Some of the more popular ones included Yeoman of the Guard in 1905, the Thespians Les Cloches de Comeville in 1913, the Bancroft Players’ I have been here before – to name but a few.

The current state of this Town Hall is perhaps described as “failing to adapt to changing circumstances”; the suggestion that it should be run by an organisation other than the Council should perhaps not be a cause for alarm, for the Old Town Hall was originally run in this way.1

Upstairs are the offices and a room dedicated to Geoffrey Lucas who was incidentally, better known for his work in connection with the Garden City Movement.

This room is available for smaller functions and events.

 

References

1 Hitchin Society Newsletter, June 2007.

External Links

http://www.hertsdirect.org/comdirectory/comvol/venue2y/vnhall3y/hfhhitch/875258