THE imposing Padiham Town Hall is celebrating a landmark birthday this month – it’s 75 years since it was opened.

It was in March 1938 when dignitaries attended the official launch of the urban district council’s new £40,000 civic centre.

This included new council offices and a library, which fronted Burnley Road, and an assembly hall and baths behind, set round a central courtyard, and built in special Accrington brick.

For the previous 64 years, the council had run its business in buildings first acquired by the Padiham and Hapton Local Board in 1874, which had comprised an office and two houses, in Mill Street.

Although extended over the years, the early thirties threw up the pressing need for larger offices, while Lord Shuttleworth had also declared that Padiham needed a public hall.

And while a library had been established in the technical school, it was agreed that this service should be moved to better premises, sooner rather than later.

The search for a satisfactory site to accommodate all the council’s needs revealed none more suitable than that of the old Bridge End Mill, an ugly four-storey building which dominated the town centre and was popularly known as the ‘Wonder Mill’.

Work began in March 1936 and was completed two years later. The opening ceremony was performed by the leader of London County Council and MP, Herbert Morrison.

The main photograph shows some of the officials standing on the new town hall steps; at the front, left to right, are: Bradshaw Gass, the architect; Rev C Heywood, vicar of Padiham; Coun E Wiggins, vice- chairman of Padiham Council, Herbert Morrison; Coun H Howarth, council chairman and Percy Williams, council clerk.

The main entrance to the new civic centre was given a columned portico, and inside the walls were lined with re-constructed Travertine marble, while a sweeping staircase, of marble terrazzo, divided into two arms to the first floor. On the ground floor were the council accounts’ department, collectors’ room, electricity department, and the sanitary inspectors’ offices, alongside other committee rooms and offices.

The council chamber featured Australian walnut panelling, with walnut and leather armchairs and tables, while three French windows opened on to balconies overlooking the street to provide facilities for public announcements.

The baths were in the western corner of the building, beneath the assembly hall, and comprised three slipper baths and a special foam bath, with needle spray equipment and three reclining couches.

The assembly hall, complete with stage, offered seating for 450, and was panelled in bronze chequered Gaboon veneered plywoods and had a sprung maple floor for dancing, which could also be fixed rigid for other events.

It was also planned to use the hall for showing films. and a cinematograph operating room had been included in the building.