When Clydebank was declared a Burgh in 1886 one of the most pressing problems was where the newly appointed Commissioners could meet and where the administrative duties of the Burgh could be carried out. In 1892, the noted Glasgow architect, James Miller was commissioned to design the new Town Hall. Amongst his other works were the Caledonian Hotel Glasgow, Peebles Hydro, Turnberry Hotel, Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens and St Enoch Subway and the great 1901 Glasgow International Exhibition in Kelvingrove Park.
The new Town Hall, comprising public halls, municipal offices, council chambers, a library, a court room, and a police station, was officially opened by the Provost Stewart on the evening of 4th April, 1902. From that day the Town Hall has the political and cultural centre of Clydebank. In 1935 the main hall was extensively modernised with additional staging, scenery, special lighting, loud speaker equipment and other modern appliances. It had seating accommodation for 1000 people and room for 200 couples dancing on the floor. These innovations along with existing facilities made it one of the most modern in Scotland. The Town Hall has since hosted a large array of events including cinema show, musicals, dramas, sporting events, political meetings, social events, etc. most notably a civic lunch for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth during the centenary of Clydebank in 1986.
The Town Hall escaped relatively lightly during the Clydebank Blitz in 1941 thus the Town Hall played a prominent part in the Clydebank Blitz, acting as a haven for the displaced citizens of the town and the rescue co-ordination centre. After the first night’s bombing, most of the functions of the Administrative Centre HQ in Kilbowie Road were transferred to the Lesser Town Hall. It is fitting that the Town Hall was the centre of a series of events in March 2001 to commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of the Clydebank Blitz. The war memorial in the west wall, the clock, Westminster chimes and carillon of bells was not added until 1931 when James Miller was again the architect. The fallen of World War 2 were added to the war memorial in 1962.“Mercury”, or the “angel” as it is known locally, which now stands in the main vestibule of the Town Hall originally stood on top of the clock tower. The massive bronze statue was blown down during the notorious hurricane which hit central Scotland in January 1968.
Although no longer used for Council administrative purposes, the Town Hall remains the most popular venue within the surrounding area, hosting over six hundred bookings per year ranging from meetings, social events, concerts, musicals, dance displays, wedding receptions etc. Civil marriages are now popular in the highly ornate council chambers and the Town Hall also houses one of only two remaining Wurlitzer organs in Scotland. Full Council and Council committee meetings, open to the public, are still held in the Council Chambers and adjoining suites.
A continuous programme of maintenance and development has ensured that this Grade B listed building remains fit for the purpose originally intended. Over the years the building stonework has been cleaned, floodlighting installed and the surrounding exterior surfaces re-laid whilst the interior finishes, many original, and furniture are maintained to a high standard by a dedicated team of staff. The needs of the disabled have also been addressed by the installation of disabled facilities, accesses and, shortly, an interior lift to easily access the upper floors. The ongoing investment in this most prestigious facility reflects the Council’s commitment to maintaining and improving the standard of surroundings that have endeared the Town Hall to generations of “Bankies” especially during this Centenary Year of Clydebank Town Hall.
