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"To appoint an Architect of special experience, at a fee not exceeding
£50, to confer with the Architect to the London County Council as to the
minimum requirements, upon carrying out which by the Vestry, the
Council would grant the Vestry's music and dancing license."
This was agreed to by the Vestry, and the services of Mr. Charles Barry, F.S.A.,
of 1. Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, S.W., were engaged for the purpose.
In accordance with the Vestry's instructions I applied for a music and dancing
license for the Town Hall, at the sitting of the Licensing Committee of the London
County Council on the 1st October, 1891, when the license was granted subject to
an undertaking being sent by the Vestry to the London County Council before the
23rd October, 1891, to carry out the works agreed on between Mr. Barry and
the Council's Architect.
Mr. Barry proceeded to make plans and estimates, and submitted the following
report on the requirements.
"1, Victoria Street, Westminster,
30th September, 1891.
To the Town Hall Committee.
Gentlemen,— In accordance with your invitation, I attended a
meeting of the Committee on the 23rd instant, and received their
instructions to put myself in communication with the Superintending
Architect of the London County Council with as little delay as possible,
in order to endeavour to come to an understanding with him as to the
least costly mode of meeting the requirements of the London County
Council, with the necessary object of making the Town Hall buildings
more secure for the public in the event of a fire occurring when large
assemblies were in the building.
Accordingly I saw the Superintending Architect at once, and was
shewn certain plans which had been proposed a year ago with this object,
and which were generally approved by the London County Council, but
as to which no action has hitherto been taken, because (as I understand)
the cost was then considered too large by the Vestry.
I have, so far as the very limited time would permit, carefully studied
the building, and also the requirements of the London County Council,
and have prepared a set of plans, which I herewith beg to submit for
your approval.
I propose to utilise the present staircases within the building, which
now give access to the Hall on each side of the central entrance at the
south-east and south-west angles of "the Hall, by altering them somewhat
in position and re-arranging their landings, as shewn on the plans and
sections.