Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal officially re-opens Hamilton Town House

Ninety years after King George V officially opened Hamilton Town Hall Royal, history is repeating itself.

Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal officially re-opened the Hamilton Town House complex on Wednesday, September 8, following a £9.6 million refurbishment  programme. King George V officially opened the building in July, 1914.

The building has been restored to its former glory with funding from the Scottish Arts Council, Historic Scotland and Heritage Lottery Fund and Her Royal Highness unveiled a plaque and signed the visitors’ book to mark the occasion, following a tour of the building, escorted by the Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, Mr Gilbert Cox MBE JP.

The Princess Royal accompanied the official party on a tour of the complex, taking in the main adult and children’s library, highlighting sensitive restoration work in the Carnegie Room reference library, and conservation work in the Cadzow Room now used for civil weddings.

South Lanarkshire children participating in the Artsnet programme then did a performance for the Princess Royal, which comprised a Junior Pop Chorus and a Summer Dance School with around 50 South Lanarkshire schoolchildren taking part.

Refurbishment of the town house complex is the final cornerstone project delivered by the highly successful Hamilton Ahead Initiative which has attracted more than £270 million of private sector investment since its start in 1990. The initiative has fully modernised and revitalised the town centre in that time.

Council Leader Eddie McAvoy commented: “Hamilton Town House is a beautiful listed building that has been carefully restored to take a central role in supporting arts and learning activities in the Hamilton area. This is the culmination of over four years of work in planning, designing and carefully restoring this building. It is a testament to the strong partnership links the council has formed with a range of external funding partners including Historic Scotland, The Heritage Lottery Fund and the Scottish Arts Council. A painstaking, and sensitive restoration of a Grade A listed building has been achieved, blending modern services unobtrusively within areas of great character and grandeur. It is a splendid building to visit.

“With the help of our partners, the council has been able to conserve and revitalise a fabulous facility that is at the centre of community life in Hamilton. People of all ages and abilities can access a wide range of opportunities and activities ranging from state-of-the-art facilities in the main theatre hall to stylish civil wedding rooms and participative arts’ classes.”

Executive Director of Community Resources Linda Hardie added: “This complex is a testament to the strong links the Council has formed with the Hamilton community. Conservation of this building has been achieved in response to the strength of public concern to improve the arts and learning facilities in Hamilton whilst retaining a well-loved landmark in the town.

“What has been achieved with contribution from the Scottish Arts Council, Historic Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund is a fine example of the achievement of a successful partnership collaboration.”

Notes to editors