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The Guildhall Bath was conceived on an imperial scale, its design demonstrating Bath’s prosperity and confidence at the end of the 19th century. There are plans afoot to reinvent the spacious reception area, says columnist Richard Wyatt, and he has some additional suggestions...

Come the end of May, Bath’s Guildhall –the Grade I listed 18th-century municipal building that is perched majestically to one side of the High Street –is getting a makeover.

Let me quickly say that this has nothing to do with who comes out on top in the forthcoming local elections, but more about making alterations to the reception area and updating the building’s security measures. So the Council has given itself planning permission to “create an inviting and accessible entrance area for all users of the building.” The reception desk will be moved to one side, digital display units will be introduced and the place generally lightened up.

I don’t want to hurt the feelings of those who have been doing security duties on the front entrance, but it’s true that people have been finding the ‘purpose of your visit’ check a bit off-putting. In its place will be a ‘lockdown’ security system that can be activated via a button below the new, white faux-stone reception desk.

According to Michael Forsyth, editor of the Pevsner Architectural Guide to Bath, the Guildhall’s facade is the best in Bath and its huge Banqueting Hall the best interior. Forsyth wonders if the tradespeople of Bath at the time –before its construction between 1775 and 1778 –who were barred from attending the Upper Assembly Rooms used by the city’s rich visitors –decided to make a gesture (involving a finger) and build their own. One that also contained a Council Chamber and Law Court. This is why the figure of Lady Justice is on the roof, a rare un-blindfolded lead sculpture holding her sword of punishment and the scales representing weighing facts and the evidence to decide on a verdict.

Or maybe councillors were just fed up with the cramped and draughty Jacobean-built meeting place which previously occupied this space, and didn’t want to be outdone by all the private Georgian architecture going up around them.

I recently met with local historian David Stubbs who is currently researching this Georgian building. He told me, “My research has led me to conclude that the Guildhall, or Town Hall as it was then called, must have been a bustling place. While court hearings were taking place on the ground floor, the town clerk and his many staff were busying themselves with Council business and the councillors themselves were meeting on the first floor. Meanwhile food was being prepared in the Great Kitchen in the basement, ready for a municipal dinner in the evening.

“During my time with the City Council in the 1980s I remember it was a bustling place and regarded as the heart of the city. How great it would be to see the Guildhall once again opened up to the citizens of Bath and its visitors by using it as a Tourist Information Centre and offering regular guided tours, alongside a small museum telling the story of Bath. How fantastic it would be to bring our incredible Record Office out of its basement accommodation and on to the High Street.”

I’m with David on this because –with Council business moving elsewhere –there is a fair bit of empty space in a building that deserves to have more of a central community focus. Obviously, the Council Chamber and Mayor’s office must stay, as must the Register Office and the countless wedding ceremonies which contribute to the Council’s financial income –but there’s scope for change.

The Record Office IS bursting out of its basement home where every inch of space appears occupied. Even the old Banqueting Hall kitchen is now filled with files. The room still has its original oven, a record in itself. Further along a corridor that links the whole building I was shown the old prison cells –linked by a staircase to the courtroom above –and now also full of the city’s history. Remember that the ‘past’ is being constantly added to –and today is tomorrow’s yesterday!

Some have suggested moving the Record Office to the old KES School in Broad Street, but that would be costly and the building is not suitable in terms of room size or capacity. There is definitely scope to extend the Victoria Art Gallery and maybe create more space for its significant art collection stored in the basement to be put on show.

There is even a space tucked away in the corner of the ground plan where the gallery meets the north wing of the building that was recently considered suitable to be covered and used as a gallery cafe.

Time for a more user-friendly and bustling City Hall! What do you think? n

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