Guildhall, Wrexham

Municipal building in Wrexham, Wales

Guildhall

Neuadd y Dref (Welsh)

The building's main entrance, fronting Llwyn Isaf field.

General information
Architectural style| Red brick and Neo-Georgian
Address| The Guildhall, Wrexham LL11 1AY
Coordinates| 53°02′51″N 2°59′38″W﻿ / ﻿53.04747°N 2.99387°W﻿ / 53.04747; -2.99387
Construction started| 1959
Construction stopped| 1961
Opened| 25 May 1961
Renovated| 1980−1981
Owner| Wrexham Borough Council (1961–1974)
Wrexham Maelor Borough Council (1974–1996)
Wrexham County Borough Council (1996–)
Design and construction
Architect(s)| Stephenson, Young & Partners

The Guildhall (Welsh: Neuadd y Dref; lit. 'Town Hall') is a municipal building in Wrexham, Wales. It is located in the city centre alongside the Llwyn Isaf open space. It is the headquarters of Wrexham County Borough Council and is the administrative centre of Wrexham County Borough,[1][2] as it was of its predecessor Wrexham Maelor.[3][4]

## Architecture and history

[edit]

The Guildhall is located on the grounds where the mansion house Ypsytty (or Ysbyty) Ucha (Welsh for 'Upper Hospital') once stood, first recorded to be located here by 1700. The house later became known as Llwyn Isaf, whose name survives as the name of the field in front of the Guildhall.[5][6] The house was purchased by the council in the early 1950s, and subsequently demolished to construct the modern Guildhall. The Guildhall's construction faced some opposition over fears its construction would lead to the destruction of the Llwyn Isaf field. There were earlier proposals after World War II to surface the area with tarmac and construct a bus station on the site instead.[6]

Rhosddu Road entrance of the building.

The current building was commissioned to replace the Old Guildhall in what was Guildhall Square, between Henblas Street and Lambpit Street.[7] The new building was built between 1959 and 1961 and was opened by Princess Alexandra on 25 May 1961.[8]

The building is in the Neo-Georgian style, to a design modelled on Stockholm City Hall by the architects Stephenson, Young & Partners. It has a red brick façade with three storeys of Georgian arched windows, a cantilevered gallery towards Llwyn Isaf, and a copper tower.[9][10] The building cost £150,000 (equivalent to £3.7 million in 2023[11]). It is surrounded with flowerbeds that have been described as a "notable addition to the amenities of the town".[12] The frontage was modified in 2018 as a security measure, blocking off the front stairs but maintaining two ramps either side of the front of the building.[13] It was partly extended between 1980 and 1981.[10]

## Political activity

[edit]

In October 2011, it held a meeting of the Welsh Grand Committee of the House of Commons, the first to be held in Wales for 10 years.[14][15]

As the centre of local government in Wrexham, protests and political rallies have been held outside the building, including a 2021 protest against the council's application for city status[16][17] and a 2022 rally for Welsh independence.[18]

## Other uses

[edit]

Ceremonies for appointing mayors of Wrexham are held in the building,[19] as are other ceremonies such as for awarding the title "Freeman of Wrexham".[20] The Guildhall is used as a wedding venue,[21] and is lit up to mark special occasions.[22] For a few months in 2023, it housed Contact Wrexham, the council's in-person support office.[23]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Miller, Jan (2005). A Country Diary for North Wales. Troubador Publishing. p. 102\. ISBN 9781905237357.
2. ^ Mann, Petra (23 January 2014). "Sale of school playing fields to make money for cash-strapped Wrexham Council labelled 'outrageous'". North Wales Live. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
3. ^ "No. 46366". The London Gazette. 8 October 1974. p. 8559.
4. ^ "No. 54317". The London Gazette. 15 February 1996. p. 2349.
5. ^ "Wrexham Town Walk : Llwyn Isaf". Wrexham County Borough Council. Archived from the original on 1 September 2012.
6. ^ a b Ebsworth, David (2023). Wrexham Revealed: A Walking Tour with Tales of the City’s History. Compact Cymru. Wrexham Carnival of Words. Carreg Gwalch. ISBN 9781845245245.
7. ^ "A History of the Bomb site – "Wrexham History"". Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2023.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
8. ^ "Guildhall, Llwyn Isaf, Wrexham, North Wales". www.richardkingsystems.co.uk. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
9. ^ Hatherley, Owen (7 April 2022). Modern Buildings in Britain: A Gazetteer. Penguin UK. ISBN 9780141998312. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
10. ^ a b "Guildhall, Queen Street (23380)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
11. ^ United Kingdom Gross Domestic Product deflator figures follow the MeasuringWorth "consistent series" supplied in Thomas, Ryland; Williamson, Samuel H. (2024). "What Was the U.K. GDP Then?". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
12. ^ "Historic Old Library building on Queen's Square to be sold off by Wrexham Council". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
13. ^ "New Guildhall frontage a 'security measure' and to reduce anti-social behaviour". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
14. ^ Live, North Wales (20 October 2011). "MPs clash over employment policies at Welsh Grand Committee meeting in Wrexham". North Wales Live. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
15. ^ "Welsh Grand Committee To Meet In Wrexham". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
16. ^ "Wrexham's city status bid plan opposed by protesters". BBC News. 4 December 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
17. ^ "Rally against city status bid to be held on Saturday". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
18. ^ "Welsh independence: Thousands march through Wrexham". BBC News. 2 July 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
19. ^ "Wrexham Mayor Unveiled At Guildhall Ceremony". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
20. ^ "Rob and Ryan set for Freedom of City award at Civic ceremony in Guildhall on Monday". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
21. ^ "Daughter 25 minutes late for mum's wedding in Wrexham due to parking chaos". The Leader. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
22. ^

* "Wrexham's Guildhall to light up yellow and blue for people of Ukraine". The Leader. 24 February 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
* "Wrexham's Guildhall to be lit-up to mark third anniversary of coronavirus lockdown". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
* "Wrexham's Guildhall to turn blue to mark Emergency Services Day". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 8 April 2023.

23. ^ "Contact Wrexham to move from Lord Street from next week". The Leader. 7 December 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2023.

* v
* t
* e

City of Wrexham

* Wrexham County Borough

About Wrexham|

* History
* Wrexham A.F.C.
* Sport
* Industrial heritage
* Parks and open spaces
* Previous city status bids (successful bid)
* Built-up area
* University
* Former police station
* Cemetery
* Library

Central areas and streets|

* Charles Street
* Chester Street
* Church Street
* College Street
* Fairy Road
* Grosvenor Road
* Grove Road
* Salisbury Park
* Chapel Street
* Salisbury Road
* Temple Row

Areas|

* Acton
* Rhosddu
* Rhosrobin
* Borras Park
* Erddig
* Hightown
* Caia Park
* Plas Coch
* Island Green
* Queen's Square
* Bryn Offa
* City Centre
* Wrexham Industrial Estate

Local council electoral wards|

* Acton and Maesydre
* Borras Park
* Brynyffynnon
* Cartrefle
* Erddig
* Garden Village
* Grosvenor
* Gwenfro
* Hermitage
* Little Acton
* Offa
* Queensway
* Rhosnesni
* Smithfield
* Stansty
* Whitegate

* v
* t
* e

Wrexham County Borough

* Wrexham County Borough Council

Principal settlements|

* Chirk
* Wrexham (Built-up area)

Communities|

* Abenbury
* Acton
* Bangor-on-Dee
* Bronington
* Broughton
* Brymbo
* Caia Park
* Cefn
* Ceiriog Ucha
* Chirk
* Coedpoeth
* Erbistock
* Esclusham
* Glyntraian
* Gresford
* Gwersyllt
* Hanmer
* Holt
* Isycoed
* Llangollen Rural
* Llansantffraid Glyn Ceiriog
* Llay
* Maelor South
* Marchwiel
* Minera
* Offa
* Overton
* Pen-y-cae
* Rhosddu
* Rhosllanerchrugog
* Rossett
* Ruabon
* Sesswick
* Willington Worthenbury

Other villages and areas|

* Aberoer
* Acrefair
* Arowry
* Bersham
* Bettisfield
* Borras
* Borras Park
* Bowling Bank
* Bradley
* Bryn Offa
* Brynteg
* Burton
* Bwlchgwyn
* Caego
* Cefn Mawr
* Ceiriog Valley
* Chapel Street
* Charles Street
* Chester Street
* Church Street
* College Street
* Cross Lanes
* Fairy Road
* Froncysyllte
* Garden Village
* Grosvenor Road
* Grove Road
* Glyn Ceiriog
* Gwynfryn
* Halghton
* Hightown
* Horseman's Green
* Island Green
* Johnstown
* Knolton
* Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog
* Llan-y-pwll
* Llwyneinion
* Llwynmawr
* Maelor
* Maelor Saesneg
* Marford
* Moss
* Newbridge
* New Brighton
* New Broughton
* Pandy (Ceiriog)
* Pandy (Gwersyllt)
* Pant
* Penley
* Pentre Broughton
* Pentre Bychan
* Pentre Maelor
* Plas Coch
* Plas Madoc
* Ponciau
* Pontfadog
* Queen's Square
* Rhosnesni
* Rhosrobin
* Rhostyllen
* Rhosymedre
* Ridleywood
* Salisbury Park/Road
* Southsea
* Stansty
* Summerhill
* Sydallt
* Tanyfron
* Temple Row
* Tregeiriog
* Trevor
* Tybroughton
* Wrexham Industrial Estate
* Wrexham City Centre
* Whitewell

Universities and colleges|

* Coleg Cambria (Yale College)
* Wrexham University
* School of Healthcare Sciences, Bangor University

Buildings and structures|

* 2 Grosvenor Road
* Abbotsfield
* All Saints' Church, Gresford
* Bangor-on-Dee Bridge
* Bangor-on-Dee racecourse
* Bersham Ironworks
* Bridge End Inn
* Brynkinalt Hall
* Butchers' Market
* Cathedral of Our Lady of Sorrows
* Cefn Viaduct
* Central Arcade
* Chirk Aqueduct
* Chirk Viaduct
* Chirk War Memorial
* County Buildings
* Croesnewydd Hall
* Eagles Meadow
* Elephant and Castle
* Erddig
* Feathers Hotel
* The Gelli
* Halghton Hall
* Hightown Barracks
* HM Prison Berwyn
* Horse and Jockey
* Holt Bridge
* General Market
* Gresford Methodist Church
* Grosvenor Lodge
* Grove Park School
* Iscoyd Park
* Marchwiel Hall
* Nags Head (Wrexham)
* Offa's Dyke (part)
* Old Carnegie Library
* Old Wrexham Infirmary
* Overton Arcade
* Pant-yr-Ochain
* Pen-y-Lan Hall
* Pont Cysyllte
* Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
* Poyser Street drill hall
* Rossett Presbyterian Chapel
* Racecourse Ground
* Rossett Hall
* Saith Seren
* Soames Brewery Chimney
* St David's Welsh Church
* St Deiniol's Church
* St Giles' Church
* St Mary's Church (Chirk)
* St Mary's Church (Ruabon)
* The Midland
* Talbot Hotel
* Trevalyn Hall
* Trinity Presbyterian Church
* Tudor Court
* Turf Hotel
* Tŷ Pawb
* Wat's Dyke (part)
* Waking the Dragon (proposed)
* War Memorial Hospital
* Waterworld
* Wrexham bus station
* Wrexham Cemetery
* Wrexham Lager Brewery
* Wrexham Library
* Wrexham Guildhall
* Wrexham Maelor Hospital
* Wrexham Police Station (1973–2020)
* Wynn Hall
* Wynnstay
* Wynnstay Arms (Ruabon)
* Wynnstay Arms (Wrexham)
* Xplore!

| Castles|

* Chirk Castle
* Holt Castle
* The Rofft (former)

|

Geography|

* Berwyn range
* Ceiriog Valley
* Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB
* Clywedog Trail
* Craig Berwyn
* Esclusham Mountain
* Fenn's Moss
* Nant-y-Ffrith
* Ruabon Moors

| Rivers|

* Alyn
* Cegidog
* Ceiriog
* Clywedog
* Dee
* Eitha
* Gwenfro
* Nant-y-Ffrith
* Wych Brook

|

Reservoirs and lakes|

* Acton Park Lake
* Cae Llwyd Reservoir
* Chirk Castle Lake
* Fenn's Bank Mere
* Gresford Flash
* Hanmer Mere
* Llyn Bedydd
* Monk's Pool
* Pant-yr-ochain Lake
* Penycae Top Reservoir
* Ty Mawr Reservoir
* Wynnstay Park Lake

Transport|

* Wrexham bus station
* A5 road
* A483 road
* A525 road
* A528 road
* A541 road
* B5101 road
* Chester and Wrexham Turnpike (former)
* Llangollen Canal
* Trevor Basin
* Wrexham & Shropshire (former)
* North Wales Metro (part)

| Railway lines|

* Borderlands line
* Shrewsbury to Chester line

|

Former lines|

* Glyn Valley Tramway (re-opening proposed)
* Moss Valley Branch
* Wrexham and Ellesmere Railway
* Wrexham and Minera Railway
* Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway
* Croes Newydd (former)
* Former stations

Railway stations|

* Chirk railway station
* Gwersyllt railway station
* Ruabon railway station
* Wrexham Central railway station
* Wrexham General railway station

Proposed stations
Wrexham North railway station
Wrexham South railway station

Media and events|

* Calon FM
* Capital North West and North Wales
* Heart North Wales
* Capital Cymru (some broadcasts)
* Smooth Wales (some broadcasts)
* MuxCo (radio operator)
* Wrexham-Rhos transmitting station
* Marcher Radio Group (former)
* BBC Cymru Wales (local studios)
* The Leader newspaper
* Wales Comic Con (2008–2019; 2022)
* Focus Wales
* Eisteddfoddau
* 1876
* 1888
* 1912
* 1933
* 1945
* 1961
* 1977
* 2011
* 2025

Topics|

* Parliamentary constituencies
* Schools
* City parks and open spaces
* Council elections
* electoral wards
* SSSIs
* Country houses
* Listed buildings
* Grade I
* Grade II*
* Grade II
* Scheduled monuments
* Listed parks and gardens
* History
* Former RAF Wrexham
* Lord Lieutenants
* High Sheriffs
* Mayor
* Museums
* Museum
* Archives
* National Football Museum
* Wrexham Library
* Wrexham Guildhall
* Public art
* Wrexham Art School
* Wrexham A.F.C.
* Women
* Wrexham RFC

* Preserved county of Clwyd
* Historic counties of Denbighshire and Flintshire

* v
* t
* e

Government buildings in Wales

Devolved
institutions|

| Senedd estate|

* Senedd building
* Pierhead Building
* Tŷ Hywel

|

Welsh Government
buildings|

* Crown Buildings

UK Government
buildings|

* Eastgate House
* Tŷ William Morgan

Local
government|

| Principal council
buildings|

* County Hall, Cardiff
* County Hall, Carmarthen
* County Hall, Ruthin
* County Hall, Mold
* County Hall, Haverfordwest
* County Hall, Llandrindod Wells
* Council Offices, Caernarfon
* Swansea Civic Centre
* Swansea Guildhall
* Newport Civic Centre
* Pontypool Town Hall
* Wrexham Guildhall

|

Community council
buildings|

* Abergavenny Town Hall
* Bargoed Town Hall
* Beaumaris Town Hall
* Brecon Guildhall
* Caerwys Town Hall
* Conwy Guildhall
* Cowbridge Town Hall
* Denbigh Town Hall
* Fishguard Town Hall
* Flint Town Hall
* Grosmont Town Hall
* Holyhead Town Hall
* Laugharne Town Hall
* Llandudno Town Hall
* Llangollen Town Hall
* Llanidloes Town Hall
* Llantwit Major Town Hall
* Milford Haven Town Hall
* Mold Town Hall
* Old Town Hall, Criccieth
* Old Town Hall, Llandrindod Wells
* Pembroke Town Hall
* Sessions House, Usk
* Shire Hall, Llandeilo
* St Davids City Hall
* Talgarth Town Hall
* Twyn Community Centre
* Welshpool Town Hall

Former government
buildings|

* Aberystwyth Town Hall
* Assembly Rooms, Presteigne
* Old Market Hall, Blaenau Ffestiniog
* Bala Town Hall
* Bangor Town Hall
* Barry Council Office and Library
* City Hall, Cardiff
* Cardiff Town Hall
* Cardigan Guildhall
* Carmarthen Guildhall
* Cawdor Hall
* Cheese Market, Hay-on-Wye
* County Hall, Aberaeron
* County Hall, Caernarfon
* County Hall, Cwmbran
* County Hall, Dolgellau
* Crickhowell Market Hall
* Dylan Thomas Centre
* Glamorgan Building
* Holywell Town Hall
* Kenfig Town Hall
* Kidwelly Town Hall
* Lampeter Town Hall
* Llandovery Town Hall
* Llandrindod Wells Library
* Llanelli Town Hall
* Llangefni Town Hall
* Llantrisant Guildhall
* Maesteg Town Hall
* Merthyr Tydfil Town Hall
* Montgomery Town Hall
* Mountain Ash Town Hall
* Municipal Offices, Blaenavon
* Narberth Town Hall
* Neath Town Hall
* Neuadd Dwyfor
* Neuadd Maldwyn
* Old Shire Hall, Cardigan
* Old Town Hall, Aberdare
* Old Town Hall, Loughor
* Old Town Hall, Usk
* Pontypridd Municipal Buildings
* Rhyl Town Hall
* Ruthin Town Hall
* Shire Hall, Llangefni
* Shire Hall, Haverfordwest
* Shire Hall, Monmouth
* Shire Hall, Newport
* Shire Hall, Presteigne
* St Clears Town Hall
* Swyddfa'r Sir
* Tenby Town Hall
* Tredegar Town Hall
* Tremadog Town Hall
* Y Gaer

* List of city and town halls in Wales

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