What if these walls could talk? Right now, we are standing in front of Havering Town Hall. It is more than just a building. It is the heart of the London Borough of Havering.
Havering Town Hall has a rich history. It was built in 1937. Herbert R. Collins and Antoine Englebert O. Geens designed it in the International Moderne style. The town hall stands on Main Road in Romford. Before its construction, the site was open land. The local board of health was initially based in the Market Place in Romford.
The building we see before us replaced inadequate quarters. The council had been meeting in the old court house of the independent liberty of Havering. The council moved to temporary offices in 1931. They waited for the new town hall to be completed.
The Lord Mayor of London, Sir George Broadbridge, officially opened Romford Town Hall on September 16, 1937. That day, Romford also received its charter of incorporation. Broadbridge presented it to Councillor Charles Allen, the charter mayor.
Look at the building’s design. It has an asymmetrical main frontage. Notice the tower on the left. It features a doorway and canopy. Above, there is a tall window. Flagpoles flank the window. There is another flagpole on the roof. To the right are eleven bays with windows. These windows adorn each of the ground and first floors.
The building was extended in 1960. Three bays were added to the left. The extension matched the original style. Inside, the town hall featured a council chamber. It also had two large committee rooms.
In 1965, the London Borough of Havering was formed. The building was renamed Havering Town Hall. It remained the local seat of government. Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh visited on March 6, 2003. They attended a civic lunch with council officials.
Havering Town Hall made headlines in January 2016. Havering Council became the first in the UK. They joined the campaign to leave the European Union. This followed a debate in the council chamber.
The town hall was extensively restored in autumn 2017. However, the building experienced an arson attack in May 2024. The attack damaged the property. Fortunately, there were no injuries or loss of data.
Havering Town Hall remains a vital part of the community. It serves as the headquarters for Havering London Borough Council. It is a Grade II listed building. This designation recognizes its architectural and historical significance. Havering Council comprises 55 councillors representing 20 wards. Elections are held every four years.
Havering Town Hall has seen political shifts. There have been periods of no overall control. The Conservative and Labour parties have also held control at different times. The Havering Residents Association is also a significant political force.
The town hall stands as a symbol of Havering’s history. It represents local government and community. As we move on, remember the stories held within these walls. They reflect the borough’s past and present.