Hornsey Town Hall set for grand reopening

The long-awaited refurbishment is now complete with a new arts and cultural space set to open to the public

The fully refurbished Hornsey Town Hall is finally set to open its doors to the public as a new cultural venue in Crouch End.

A “spectacular festive celebration” is taking place next month as the building welcomes visitors for the first time since its “stunning” refurbishment.

The launch event has been a long time coming, with the building originally closed in 2019, following its sale two years earlier to Far East Consortium (FEC) in a deal which promised restoration work to the town hall, a new hotel, housing and a community arts centre.

New housing and a hotel were delivered at the site and the refurbishment work led to the town hall being removed from Historic England’s at-risk register of buildings last year.

The project suffered a series of delays, however, and another sale in February to financial conglomerate AMTD IDEA Group sparked concern among local residents that the long-awaited arts venue might not be delivered.

Those fears have since been allayed and it is now confirmed the Grade-2*-listed landmark that will be reopening to the public in December.

The ‘Festive Grand Launch’ promises a “magical experience for all ages, with live talks, arts and cultural activities, music, comedy, face painting, delicious food, festive drinks and more” according to organisers.

Visitors will get a first glimpse of how the revitalised spaces can once again host markets, concerts, community gatherings and other major events.

Kicking off at 12pm on Saturday, 6th December, highlights include an artisan makers market and line dancing led by local choreographer Gabriela Montgomery-Solano in the assembly hall; Father Christmas spreading festive cheer and gifts for children; face painting and glitter art by Lyla Harris-Quinn; and a Crouch End Open Studios art exhibition in the committee room.

Outside in Town Hall Square, visitors will find amusements, a Christmas market with food and drinks and, at 6pm, the grand switch-on of the Hornsey Town Hall Christmas Tree, followed by a “spectacular light show” across the Town Hall façade.

A special programme of live talks will run throughout the day inside the town hall chamber, including an explanation from architect Katy Ghahremani on how her firm Make Architects helped to “reimagine a North London landmark”. In the evening, there will also be comedy and DJ sets.

For more information about the events being held on Saturday, 6th December:
Visit hornseyth.com

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