In September 2000, massive structural
problems were discovered in the Royal Hall. Large areas of
the 100 year-old concrete which makes up much of the internal
structure was found to be in a highly advanced state of decay.
The
situation was considered to be so dangerous that the Upper
Balcony and some other parts of the building had to be immediately
closed to the public.
The discovery of concrete
corrosion turned out to be just one of a number of serious
structural problems. The north-east section of the building
was found to be suffering from subsidence and mortar cementing
the foundation's brickwork was decaying from
the effects of salt corrosion.
Taken together, the
structural problems affecting the Royal Hall are terminal.
Without major restoration, the Royal Hall would have to be
closed and permanently boarded up. This means carrying
out a major rebuilding programme on both the interior and the
foundations of the building.
The future of the Royal
Hall is both immensely exciting and very challenging. The
fundamental nature of the restoration work needed will provide
an unrepeatable opportunity to return this magnificent and
historic building back to its original splendour. All of
the ‘temporary fixes’ and unco-ordinated
alterations which have so disfigured the Royal Hall over the
decades can now be removed, so that the building can be faithfully
reinstated back to Matcham’s original vision.
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