THE imposing Huddersfield Town Hall is getting a makeover.
Stonecleaning and repairs begin this week and by the time it's all finished the building will look a treat say officials.
The first phase is starting this week with the Ramsden Street frontage of the town hall and parts in Peel Street.
Kirklees Council deputy leader Clr John Smithson said: "The first elevation to be tackled is the Ramsden Street face, including the civic insignia at parapet level.
"This part of the work will be finished in time for the important twinning ceremony to celebrate 50 years of links with Besancon at the beginning of October, and also leading up to our busy concert season."
He explained: "The stone cleaned building will provide a better image of the town hall on this busy street, add to the attraction of the town centre and provide a much more pleasant backdrop for wedding photographs often taken on the Ramsden Street steps of the building."
From the beginning of October the work will move around to Peel Street for a few weeks.
Further phases will follow and will be programmed so as to minimise disruption, said Clr Smithson.
* Huddersfield Town Hall was opened on Tuesday October 18, 1881 by the Mayor, Alderman Thomas Denham.
* Architect John Henry Abbey died before he could see his designs become reality.
* A major reason for its construction was to provide a concert hall.
* Notables who have spoken there include Sir Ernest Shackleton, George Bernard Shaw and David Lloyd George.
* Plaques in the building record, among other things, the names of freemen of the borough and the achievements of Huddersfield Choral Society.
