Grand design of old building (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Grand design of old building

3:52pm Wednesday 18th April 2007 in

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THE Great Hall at Leyton Municipal Offices (LMO) is breathtaking.

A clue to its size is that before the First World War, it was used for showings of the early silent moving pictures and reputedly seated an audience of 700.

Later in its history it hosted banquets, balls and public meetings and became a popular venue for large wedding receptions.

But like much of the rest of the former Leyton Town Hall, it fell into disuse in the 1980s. Latterly, it has been as a storeroom for unwanted equipment.

One of its drawbacks was that it is upstairs, with no lift for those who cannot climb the beautiful staircase.

In its new incarnation, that problem has been overcome by fitting a lift at the back in a place where it does not interfere with the aesthetics of the Grade II listed building.

Currently, it is filled with scaffolding and teams are working on refurbishing the ceiling and the decoration.

It is this area plus ancillary space both close to the lift and at the top of the stairs that the successful competition entrant will be able to use.

He or she may also have an opportunity to use or even develop the downstairs restaurant.