Evidence that Ripon Town Hall was once painted green has been uncovered during conservation work.
Specialists examining more than 25 layers of historic paint found traces of a green colour scheme thought to date back to the Victorian period.
But the Market Place landmark will be returning to an earlier appearance, with Ripon City Council choosing an off-white finish identified in the building’s original limewashes.
Specialist contractor Pinnacle Conservation is carrying out the first phase of work to conserve and regenerate the Grade II listed building.
The programme includes repairs to render, the removal of unsuitable coatings and redecoration using breathable mineral paint to help protect the historic structure.
The railings will also be repainted, while the decorative frieze and parapet inscription will undergo conservation work.
Valerio Caputi, Head of Conservation Projects at Pinnacle Conservation Ltd, said:
“Working on Ripon Town Hall gives us the opportunity to combine careful investigation with traditional craft and modern conservation techniques.
“Our paint analysis has identified more than 25 layers of decoration, providing a fascinating record of how the appearance of the building has changed over time. The evidence suggests that the façade was historically finished in lighter stone colours, with a distinctive green scheme likely introduced during the nineteenth century.
“The conservation works go well beyond simply repainting the building. We will be carefully removing modern, less breathable coatings in areas affected by historic damp and introducing a compatible mineral paint system to improve breathability and help manage moisture within the historic fabric.
“We are also conserving the decorative frieze, where areas of lost decoration will be carefully reintegrated using conservation techniques alongside traditional materials, including the reintroduction of gold leaf. The aim is to recover the architectural richness of the façade while respecting the surviving historic material and the evidence revealed through our investigation.”
The work comes ahead of the planned transfer of responsibility for the Town Hall from North Yorkshire Council to Ripon City Council through the double devolution process.
The city council has authorised investment in the building’s conservation and future use, with the first phase addressing the immediate needs of its Market Place frontage.
The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Andrew Williams, said:
“The Town Hall is one of Ripon’s best-known buildings and an important part of our conservation area. We recognise our duty to care for it and to ensure that, as a civic building, it leads the way in making our high street fit for the future.
“The discoveries made during these works show why careful conservation matters. They are helping us understand the building and choose a finish that respects its history, while the repairs address problems that need attention now.
“This is the first phase of a much wider ambition for the Town Hall. Bringing the building into Ripon City Council’s care gives us the opportunity to shape its future with a focus from and for Ripon, and we are already looking ahead to the next stage of regeneration. We want to open up more of the building and give it a fuller role in the life of the city.”
A second phase will develop longer-term proposals to improve access and allow a wider range of uses.
Open days and Hidden Tours held over the summer attracted hundreds of visitors, with feedback helping inform plans for the building.
The council wants the Town Hall to host civic occasions, community events, schools, businesses and visitors, with opportunities for young people to help shape its future.
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