Blackpool Town Hall

Blackpool Town Hall is the seat of Blackpool Council and one of the most recognisable civic buildings on the Lancashire coast. It stands on Talbot Square, a short walk from the seafront, the tram line and the main shopping streets, which makes it an easy stop for anyone exploring the centre of town.

What is Blackpool Town Hall?

It is a municipal building and the headquarters of Blackpool Council, the body that governs the wider Borough of Blackpool. It is still a working administrative building rather than a museum, so it is best appreciated from the outside and as part of a walk around the square.

Why was it built and who designed it?

The present building was commissioned to replace an earlier town hall from the 18th century, which stood just to the south, close to the old St John's Market. The design came from the architectural firm Potts, Son and Hennings, who chose the Jacobean style. Sources give slightly different construction dates, but the building was completed around 1900. In 1904 it became the administrative centre of the Blackpool County Borough, at a time when the resort was growing fast.

What does it look like?

The façade is balanced and symmetrical, with seven bays; the outermost bays curve gently around the sides of the building. At the centre rises a five-stage clock tower, which gives the building its distinctive silhouette and makes it easy to spot from around Talbot Square.

What is inside?

Among the notable features inside is the ship's bell from HMS Foudroyant, a vessel wrecked off the Blackpool coast in 1897. The council chamber is decorated with murals painted by J. R. Brown in 1901.

Has the building changed over time?

Yes. After a serious fire in the 1930s the town hall was extensively rebuilt and extended under the architect John Charles Robinson. Despite those changes it keeps its historic character and is protected as a Grade II listed building, designated on 11 January 1974.

Visiting tips

• Where: Talbot Square, in the centre of Blackpool, close to the promenade.
• Best for: architecture fans, people interested in the history of English seaside resorts, and photographers who like Victorian and Edwardian civic buildings.
• Time needed: 10 to 20 minutes for the exterior and the square.
• Remember: it is an active council office, so access to the interior depends on opening hours and on any public events. Check with the council before planning an indoor visit.

Frequently asked questions

Is Blackpool Town Hall open to the public? It is a working council building. The exterior can be viewed at any time from Talbot Square; for interior access, check with Blackpool Council.

Is it a listed building? Yes, it is Grade II listed.

In what style is it built? The architects used the Jacobean style, with a central five-stage clock tower.

Where is it? On Talbot Square in Blackpool, England.