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Islington Tribune - EXCLUSIVE by RóISíN GADELRAB
Published: 23 January 2009

Cllr Gilbert in the historic hall where Diana Dors and George Formby performed

It’s time to dig out your snaps of that night at the Town Hall

Council seek photos of performers at historic auditorium ahead of revamp

THE search is on for pictures of British comic George Formby, actress Diana Dors and a host of other stars who trod the boards at Islington’s historic Town Hall Auditorium.
Town Hall officers have been trawling the archives to find photographs and documents relating to the hall in its heyday but have so far drawn a blank.
Now, they are appealing to anyone who has memories or photos of times gone by to get in touch.
The art-deco Grade II-listed assembly hall – mothballed 20 years ago – is set to be restored to its former glory after councillors at last week’s executive meeting agreed to accept a tender from Diamond Build Plc, who gave the cheapest quote.
But former councillor Richard Heseltine said: “One word of warning. I should be extremely wary of taking the lowest tender when repairing listed buildings.”
Finance chief councillor John Gilbert said: “We’re satisfied with this contractor which has done work with us before and we know they are a quality contractor.
“We also know that the older plans for the Town Hall were lost and we don’t know what might be lurking under the stage when they get on site. So we’re building in quite a lot of contingency.
“We have been given a hard time for spending on conference venues and the reason we’re doing that is that we haven’t got anywhere which will hold more than 100 people at a time. Now, we’ll be able to use the hall.”
The auditorium, which is attached to the Town Hall on Upper Street, once played host to jazz bands and ballroom dance shows, while stars of the silver screen played in variety shows in its post war heyday.
Islington Local History Centre wants to hear from anyone who has historic pictures of the hall, particularly older ones of George Formby performing so they can take copies the pictures and add them to the archives.
The council is hoping to use the hall for staff meetings, community events and hire it out for weddings.
Cllr Gilbert said: “This is a great building with huge potential but many people simply don’t know it’s there. It was built at a time of great civic pride for local people to use and enjoy – so it’s absolutely right that, like all council property, we make maximum benefit of it by bringing this superb venue back into use.”
The hall fell into disuse into the 1980s when the Town Hall could no longer afford to maintain it. It is hoped the work will begin in spring and could be ready as early as Christmas.
The hall has retained plenty of original features with a stage, balcony, potential seating for 500 people, and a fully sprung ballroom dance floor. But in a modern, environmentally friendly twist, the venue will be part powered by solar panels on the roof.
A Town Hall spokesman added: “The project will be financed by proceeds from the council’s property disposals.”
Anyone with pictures or anecdotes can contact local.history@islington.gov.uk
or tel 020 7527 7988.

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