Rooms

In the past, coming into the Mayor’s Parlour was a privilege not open to many.

Entering the parlour, brings you into a very different part of the building, where civic business was to be carried out. It’s not exactly your usual office space. The Mayor’s Parlour is where Rochdale mayors have worked, received guests and entertained. This highlights what the role of mayor involved – it was a combination of business and hospitality.

The décor is different too. It’s much more Victorian front room than council office and was very fashionable at the time. The original mayor’s desk and chair are still here. They were designed especially and made by Rochdale cabinet maker William Snowden.