Repairs to get the City Hall clock starting again will cost £13,000.
Norwich City Hall clock’s £13k repair bill
by DAN GRIMMER
Friday, February 11, 2011
12:03 PM
Thousands of pounds are to be spent getting the iconic clock at City Hall working again, after specialists discovered major problems with the ageing mechanism.
"I’m pleased this is being done and City Hall’s clock will soon be working again. The clock is one of Norwich’s landmarks and a familiar sight to anyone who lives and works in the city."
The landmark clock has been out of action since the first weekend of 2011, when the hands came to a halt at 10.30.
At first, council bosses thought the cold weather had led to the lubricant in the timepiece freezing, but specialists who studied the mechanism uncovered major problems.
That means the clock will need to be completely stripped down and rebuilt at a cost of £13.000.
Specialist Norwich-based company Michlmayr Clock & Watchmakers were due to begin the work today, which is expected to take about a month to complete.
The company, which has established a national reputation, undertakes any type of work with timepieces - from fine quality precision watches to large public clocks.
Work will include the removal of the clock’s hands, and the internal mechanism will be taken apart and cleaned.
Simon Michlmayr, a second generation Swiss-trained watch and clockmaker, who founded the company in 1986, said: “Michlmayr Clock & Watchmakers are delighted to be involved with Norwich City Council in the restoration of such an important historic landmark clock.”
The clock has had its fair share of problems over the years, stopping completely around New Year in 2010, when the mechanism froze. while in 2005 it stopped working just months after thousands of pounds were spent fixing it.
But council leaders hope the latest work will mean the clock gives uninterrupted trouble-free service to the city.
Alan Waters, Norwich City Council cabinet member for resources, performance and shared services, said: “I’m pleased this is being done and City Hall’s clock will soon be working again. The clock is one of Norwich’s landmarks and a familiar sight to anyone who lives and works in the city.”
The clock tower was built in 1938 and is part of the Grade II* listed City Hall.
• Do you have a story about a local council? Call Evening News reporter Dan Grimmer on 01603 772375 or email dan.grimmer@archant.co.uk
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5 comments
10.30? are you sure, i suggest you issue your staff with digital watches to ensure of no further "telling the time issues". 5.50 would appear more appropriate.
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richard thurling
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Strange how the city council can soon find the money to repair this clock, give £100,000 to community projects, but cannot find the money to repair a bench for old people to sit on when waiting for a bus, cost about £100. That's just one legacy of Steve Morphew.
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COLD
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Can the EEN have a competition. The person who gets the exact time when it next breaks down correctly, wins an all expences paid trip to London. My guess will be 2.47
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chebram71
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Should have taken extended warrenty on the last rebuild 6 years ago. But then you would expect it to last a lot long than that. Not a good advert for the company that did it is it?
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City Boy
Friday, February 11, 2011
Dong. The Clock is not working. Dong. It is going to cost £13,000 to fix it. Dong. Yet another waste of money when council houses need essential repair to be done. Dong. Everyone is the council are out of touch. 3 months time, no dong, cause the clocks stopped working again.
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chebram71
Friday, February 11, 2011