Walworth Town Hall, Southwark

The Development

Walworth Town Hall, a Grade II listed Victorian building in South London's Southwark, was originally built in 1865 as the Newington Vestry Hall. It soon became an important civic hub, housing the Newington Library and the Cuming Museum.

In 2013, a major fire caused extensive damage, resulting in its placement on Historic England’s 'Heritage at Risk' register. A restoration led by Southwark Council, General Projects, and architects Feix & Merlin began soon after.

Completed in 2024, the restoration preserved the historic fabric while introducing modern workspaces, community areas, and a café. The building reopened to the public in 2025 and was removed from the at-risk register.

The Challenge

Walworth Town Hall's community hub fulfills an ambition to create space for a diverse program of events and activities, targeting people of all ages and backgrounds—a true modern heartbeat within its Victorian frame. 

To truly empower this broad mix of users – including local community organisations, charities, schools, arts and cultural groups, and independent businesses – the facility required a modern, premium AV system...

It needed a modern, premium AV system—one that could seamlessly support a tapestry of activity, providing immersive, intuitive AV experiences, robust enough for daily use, and adaptable to suit everything from intimate gatherings to large-scale community events.

And of course, being a listed building, the implementation of cabling infrastructure to support new technology was not an option; an innovative solution was necessary to deliver cutting-edge audio visual technology without compromising the building's aesthetic.

The Delivery 

SCCI Alphatrack was proud to work with General Projects on the design and delivery of a comprehensive AV solution within this historic building building. This included:

Yamaha Background Music System

Yamaha music systems are designed to deliver high-quality, consistent audio experiences across commercial environments, including hospitality, retail, education, and public spaces. The systems combine Yamaha’s expertise in professional audio with user-friendly features, ensuring easy integration, scalability, flexible control, and reliable performance. Yamaha’s technology is ideal for creating comfortable and immersive environments, enhancing customer experience while supporting a range of uses—from background music and announcements to live performances and presentations.

Sonance Speakers

Sonance speakers are renowned for their blend of high-performance audio, discreet design, and architectural integration, making them a preferred choice for both commercial and residential installations. Engineered to deliver rich, detailed sound, Sonance systems are ideal for background music, paging, and ambient audio.

Hisense 65-inch Interactive Whiteboards

SCCI Alphatrack flat-to-wall mounted Hisense 65-inch interactive whiteboards in each of the property's meeting rooms. These cutting-edge displays are designed for collaborative environments, offering features such as built-in VC technology, touchscreen functionality, and wireless connectivity—no need for messy, disruptive cabling; the perfect technology choice to help preserve the building's aesthetic.

The Result

The completed AV system now empowers Walworth Town Hall’s users to connect, collaborate, and create—whether they’re running a community workshop, hosting a local exhibition, or delivering a business pitch.

Main image credit: © Chris Wharton