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Now home to Urdang, the Grade II* listed building has a long history in Islington

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City St George’s, University of London has restored a unique feature of an important local landmark.

The Old Finsbury Town Hall is now home to Urdang at City St George's, but the venue has served the local Clerkenwell community for many years.

Its eye-catching wrought-iron framed clock, originally crafted by local clockmakers Thwaites and Reed, has been restored to its former glory.

Last year, specialist engineers were appointed to remove the clock, its housing and fittings and return them in a restored state
The clock has now been restored to its former glory

The clock projects from the upper story onto Rosebery Avenue. When City St George’s acquired Finsbury Town Hall, along with Urdang, in 2022, the university was given the opportunity to restore parts of the building that needed investment.

In 2024, specialist engineers were appointed to remove the clock, its housing and fittings and return them in a restored state. This was significant and challenging work, the fitting alone weighing more than a tonne and the crumbling and intricate iron framework requiring sensitive repairs.

The work was carried out successfully and at the end of 2024, the clock was restored to its place above the original entrance to Finsbury Town Hall, ready to continue marking the hours for the local community.

Since 2007, the building has been home to the performing arts academy Urdang

On the restoration, Anna Whitelock, Executive Dean, School of Communication and Creativity, said:

This iconic building, currently the home of Urdang and our Department of Performing Arts, lies in the heart of Clerkenwell and a landmark of City St George’s. As an open and outward-facing University embedded in London, City St George’s has restored a key feature of this Grade II* listed building so it can continue to benefit students, staff and the wider Islington community.

Claudia Montgomery, Director of Estates, Environment & Facilities at City St George’s, said:

“Buildings like Finsbury Town Hall form the backdrop to the lives of generations of Londoners. The investment choices we make may seem prosaic but they ensure continuity and development beyond the narrow boundaries of what we sometimes consider the Institution, allowing us reach and impact into the everyday lives of our communities.”

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