Peep behind scenes at town hall

Dec 4 2008 by Adrian Short, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

RUNCORN Town Hall is opening to the public on Saturday for a tour of the building.

Halton’s Mayor, Cllr Kath Loftus, will be welcoming residents and pupils from various schools will be singing Christmas carols.

Children will also be able to visit Santa’s grotto.

The tour, between 10am-4pm, will take in the Mayor’s parlour, the council chamber and meeting rooms. Visitors will also be able to see the hall’s paintings, as well as silverware and glassware.

Striking features include the entrance hall’s mosaic floor and two large oil paintings by Italian artist Chevalier Andrea Casali.

The building was built in 1856 for soap and alkali manufacturer Thomas Johnson and was converted for use by Runcorn Urban District Council in 1933.

It was adapted as the council’s civic suite in 1964.