Background
- Listing: Category A
- Date of building: 1829-31
- Web: http://www.greenlawtownhall.bordernet.co.uk/
- Greenlaw Town Hall Gallery
- Greenlaw Town Hall Virtual Tour
The buff sandstone building is entered from an impressive portico flanked by Ionic columns, leading to a grand vestibule. Above the vestibule is the stone dome, which was likey to have been originally covered in lead (this is a point of contention - some people think it never was and some think it has been removed, the records were removed as it was too damp…) and would have acted as a firesafe for all the important records of the county.
The building ceased to be a town hall in 1904, and instead served its community as a village hall. During World War Two the building became a temporary billet for Polish and Scottish soldiers. Substantial repair works to water damage were carried out shortly afterwards, which compromised some of the building's original Georgian features.
In 1973, the town hall briefly opened as a swimming pool. Then in 1975, in response to competition from a new facility nearby, a wooden floor was laid across the swimming pool and the building reopened as a multi-purpose public hall.
By 2005 the fabric of the hall had deteriorated to such a degree that it was declared unsafe for public events and access was restricted. It has since stood derelict, suffering vandalism, an influx of pigeons and damage to the roof.
It is hoped that restoration would open up a variety of possible roles for the hall including use as office space, community facilities and even residential accommodation.
