Bolton’s Albert Halls is an impressive colonnaded, neoclassical Victorian town hall situated in the heart of Bolton. On this prestigious public sector project, MAC Roofing upgraded the existing pitched roof system with improved insulation, and subsequently installed brand-new Welsh Penrhyn slating to all areas of the town hall and council chambers. The installation required a very high level of skill and knowledge in order to replace and upgrade a very complicated old roof with a 21st Century specification that incorporated a number of modern items. Several technical and logistical challenges also had to be overcome along the way.
On each elevation of Town Hall, intricate detailing was required when it came to slate cutting and lead installation. This included tapered eaves courses, diminishing elevation dimensions and walkway plinths. MAC Roofing’s expert craftsmanship was also evident in the new leadwork finishing to the gutters, which incorporated double-lapped joints and sophisticated welding techniques in various tricky locations. This work was particularly impressive given that it was carried out within extremely tight, restricted areas, utilising thick code 7 lead.
Throughout the programme of works, all processes and application methods were carefully thought through to ensure that safety was the number one priority. For example, the thick code 7 lead was carefully measured and cut at ground level in order to reduce the weight being lifted in any one go to roof level.
The project was successfully delivered on time, within budget and without any health and safety infringements. As a result, it won the Project of the Year (under £10m) Award at the 2017 Construction News Awards. In addition, the Penrhyn Slate Company officially recognised the project with an award for workmanship and attention to detail.
Welsh Penrhyn Slate
Various Lead Detailing
