£5m invested into 130-year-old Morley Town Hall to help building 'reach its true potential'

Morley Town Deal and Leeds City Council’s plans to refurbish the building and make it a focal point of the community have taken a major step forward with the handover of the building to specialist construction contractors.

The plans include works to protect the historic fabric of the building, the installation of a new café/bar, and upgrades to the theatrical experience in the Alexandra Hall.

The major upgrade work will complement the internal works, which have been undertaken throughout 2025 and include the replacement of the electrical system and damp proofing.

Dan Merrick, chair of the Morley Town Deal heritage working group, believes the investment will help Morley Town Hall expand its cultural offering within the community.

He said: “The Morley Town Deal board and Leeds City Council are working hard to ensure that the Town Hall is not only brought back to its Grade I listed grandeur, but is also futureproofed as an important community resource for many years to come.

“If the Town Hall can realise its true potential, Morley stands to become a destination recognised for its cultural offer.

“I look forward to seeing how the Town Hall will develop and to seeing it reach its true potential.”

Originally designed by Henry Holtom and George Arthur Fox, the Grade I-listed Morley Town Hall has been an imposing feature at the very heart of the town centre since its construction in 1895.

The neoclassical building began as a multifunctional, civic and community venue, hosting council headquarters, a police station, court facilities, and as the venue for community events and shows in the ornate Alexandra Hall. In more recent years, the Town Hall has become an events space and community hub.

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Deputy Leader of Leeds City Council and executive member for economy, transport & sustainable development, has voiced his excitement that the refurbishment will help preserve the 130-year-old building.

He said: “It gives me great pleasure to see the next phase of work begin on rejuvenating and updating Morley Town Hall.

“A constant theme of the consultations showed local people wanted to see the Town Hall protected, modernised, and made sustainable for the future, while also remaining a valuable community space.

“The Town Hall is not just a focal point of heritage in Morley. It’s a critically important asset to the local people that will go on to serve the town for many years to come.”