Restoration
By 1997 the Royal Hall was sadly showing its age, and despite an extensive programme
of maintenance, it was becoming obvious that a full restoration was needed. After
inspection a more fundamental structural problem came to light, and clearly something
very major was if the building was to be saved. In 2000, English Heritage put
the building on the national “buildings at risk” register.
The restoration, (2006-2008) cost in excess of £10m, with contributions from
Harrogate Borough Council, Harrogate International Centre, a significant grant
from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and concerned and committed local residents set
up the Restoration Trust.
The Trust was enormously successful in raising over £2.7 million, way beyond
their initial target of £1 million and their funds largely paid for the authentic
interior redecoration and the restoration of the Dress Circle; a part of the building
which was beyond the financial scope of the original restoration construction
contract.
The well known and accomplished actor, Edward Fox, himself a direct descendant
of one of the driving forces behind the original scheme to build the hall in late
Victorian times, has provided continuing commitment to the venue, contributing
his considerable dramatic skills to a number of fund raising events and exhorting
donors to commit funds for the restoration.
The patron of The Royal Hall Restoration Trust, HRH Prince of Wales, has already
paid two visits to the hall, giving his on-going support and commitment and conducting
the Hall’s official re-opening on Tuesday 22 January 2008.
The result, as anyone who is fortunate enough to enter the building will testify,
is truly stunning. The decorative scheme is an authentic reproduction of the
original, which itself was acclaimed as one of Frank Matcham’s finest projects.
To find out more about the work of our restoration partners, please visit their
respective websites at: