Slough Town Hall

Transcript

Future is uncertain for iconic town hall

THIS week we look at one of Slough’s iconic buildings – the controversial Slough Town Hall.

This is a building whose future is unsure; with rumours of partial demolition for a much needed new school, the building’s fate will eventually be decided by the council in the forthcoming months.

This Art Deco building is of specific architectural merit and is now one of a handful of Slough’s 1930s buildings which still survives, an indicator of a bygone era when Slough’s fortunes were dominated by the growing Trading Estate to the west of the town.

The land where the town hall was to stand was purchased in August 1933 with a loan from the Ministry of Health. This was followed by an open competition for its design under the auspices of the Royal Institute of British Architects. More than 200 entries were submitted from architectural practices across the country.

The designs chosen for Slough Town Hall were by the London architects Messrs CH James and S Rowland Pierce. This architectural firm was no stranger to civic architecture, having completed Norwich City Hall by 1931.

The building of the town hall started in 1935; H Tyson Chambers of Slough was chosen as the main contractor and completed the building for the sum of £25,297. The building was constructed with buff Newbury bricks and Cotswold stone contrasted with the pale green copper of the roofs and cupola.

The interior of the building was fitted out by a number of companies across the country. However, some local businesses were used, including E Sargeant & Son (stone masons), WG Bedford (electric installation) and J Isaacs, of Slough High Street, who provided the linoleum and carpets.

■ BIG MOMENT: The Opening of Slough Town Hall in 1937 by Mrs AG Trevener, with councillors of Slough Urban District Council and the Rector of Slough, Canon AGP Baines; inset, Slough Town Hall shortly after construction, 1937.

The clock tower at Slough Town Hall was designed by acclaimed sculptor Reg Butler (1913-81) in collaboration with the architects and is his only surviving architectural work. Butler is regarded as a modern master and the Tate Gallery boasts 18 of his works in its collection.

The town hall was opened on March 31, 1937 by Mrs AG Trevener, wife of the chairman of the council, ahead of the grant of a Royal Charter in 1938. Prior to the opening, she inspected a Guard of Honour of members of the Slough Fire Brigade. Prayers were said by the Rector of Slough, Canon AGP Baines. The architects then presented Mrs Trevener with a golden key, which she used to open the front door of the building.

Over the years, as council services grew, extensions were added to the original 1937 building.

It is now a question of waiting to see what will happen to this building. Its history suggests that at least the 1930s building should be preserved for future generations of Slough’s population either as a school or perhaps even as a museum charting Slough’s history.

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