The scaffolding is being removed from Oxford Town Hall; evidence of the progress made on the restoration project to clean and repair the building’s stone facade.
Work is now underway on the lower levers of the stonework.
The removal of scaffolding will take place in phases over the coming weeks, starting on St Aldates and followed by Blue Boar Street. Once complete, the building’s refreshed exterior will be fully revealed, showcasing a cleaner, brighter façade and stone detailing that has been carefully conserved and repaired.
The Town Hall façade stone repair project is on track to reach completion by the end of March. The main repair works will be finished, all scaffolding removed, and only minor finishing tasks, checks, or signoffs may remain. Some masonry repairs, including re-pointing, will continue on Blue Boar Street for a few weeks to complete the final elements of the work.
Comment
“As the scaffolding begins to come down, people will finally be able to see the results of this careful and important restoration work. The Town Hall is one of Oxford’s most recognisable and cherished buildings, and it’s very rewarding to watch its character and detail re-emerge.
“This project has been about more than cleaning stone — it’s about protecting the Town Hall for future generations, while bringing new life to its appearance. The transformation is subtle but significant, and we’re proud of the quality of work that has gone into caring for a Grade II listed building of this importance.”
“We know the work have caused some disruption, and we’d like to thank residents, and visitors for their patience. With the scaffolding coming down and the finishing touches underway, the full impact of the project will soon be on display. The Town Hall is an important civic building but also it brings in vital income from events like weddings, which we can use to fund local services, so this work was important for that reason too and was a sound investment.”
Councillor Ed Turner, Deputy Leader (Statutory), and Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management
Protecting and enhancing a much-loved civic landmark
Specialist contractor PAYE Stonework and Restoration Ltd has carryed out the essential stone repairs as part of a carefully planned programme designed to protect and enhance this much-loved civic building. The work has been guided by conservation best practice, ensuring the Town Hall’s historic character is respected and preserved.
Oxford City Council’s Property Services team has worked closely with Jessop and Cook Architects throughout the project. Alongside the skilled craftsmanship on site, the architects have played a key role in guiding the project forward, providing expert oversight to ensure the works are delivered with care, attention to detail, and respect for the building’s architectural heritage.
Although much of the work has necessarily been carried out behind scaffolding, the glimpses now emerging reveal a transformation. The gentle cleaning process has uncovered stone tones and decorative details long hidden from view, offering a Town Hall that feels both familiar and refreshingly renewed.
A recap of the work
Stonework cleaning and essential repairs began in 2025 as part of ongoing investment in Oxford Town Hall and its workspaces. The aim has been to protect the Victorian stonework for years to come, while brightening the appearance of the building.
Oxford Town Hall is a Grade II listed building, meaning it is of more than special architectural interest and legally protected — a classification shared by just 5.8% of buildings in England.
Throughout the project access to the Town Hall has been maintained with the Café, Museum, and all public spaces remaining open.
Looking ahead
As the final scaffolding is removed and finishing touches are completed, the full impact of the project will soon be on display. The result will be a significantly improved Town Hall — dignified, resilient, and ready for its next chapter.
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