Time has come to repair Glossop's landmark clock

Long-planned repairs to Glossop's landmark clock are set to take place as the Covid-19 restrictions continue to ease.

High Peak Borough Council is spending a significant amount of money to bring the heritage halls - the town and market halls, the Municipal Buildings and Victoria Hall back into public use. 

The first project earmarked was the replacement of the town hall roof and restoration of the clock which has been a feature of the town centre for many years. 

The borough council has confirmed that experts from clock specialists Smiths of Derby - who will be carrying out the work - visited on Tuesday to start the repairs after the Covid-19 restrictions meant a slight delay. 

The internal mechanism, accessed via the clock tower, has been removed for restoration at the factory so, for a short period, the clock will stop working and people may notice the hands are missing.

Councillor Anthony Mckeown, Leader of the Council, said: “The clock on the Town Hall is a landmark in Glossop and it’s been a symbol of the town for many years. Whilst some of the issues of keeping it on time have been long running, we hope that these works will resolve those problems.

“People can be reassured that once the repairs have been carried out, the clock will work again and we’re also taking this opportunity to restore the back lighting that was removed whilst the roof works took place.”

Councillor Damien Greenhalgh, Deputy Leader and Executive Councillor for Regeneration, said: “These works to restore and safeguard the Town Hall for generations to come are a key element of the significant investment we’re making in these much-loved civic buildings so I’m delighted that we can now get on with this final stage of current works to the Town Hall.

“Work on developing a scheme to bring the building back into full public use is ongoing with our partners.”

The next phase of the regeneration of the buildings is to renovate the roofs at the Market Hall and Municipal Buildings, and the borough council say it is now evaluating tenders received for the work and expects contractors to be on site later this year.