The iconic clock tower at Nottingham Town Hall has been a timekeeping centrepiece for the city for nearly a century. With only one previous overhaul recorded in its 97-year history, the structure was well overdue for an in-depth mechanical refurbishment.
Nottingham City Council sought a trusted engineering partner to carry out the work with the level of care, heritage understanding, and technical expertise the project required. NET, part of the Rotamec Group, was appointed to deliver this sensitive and high-profile job.
The main challenge involved the age and condition of the mechanism itself. The clock drive system had been operating almost continuously since its installation, and signs of wear were evident throughout the core components. The primary gearbox, a crucial part of the mechanism, was in need of complete disassembly and inspection. Adding to the complexity, the location within the clock tower created logistical difficulties, requiring precise handling during removal and reinstallation.
Our engineering team at NET carefully dismantled the gearbox and transported it to our workshop. There, each component was assessed for wear, fatigue, and mechanical integrity. The team refurbished and re-machined the necessary parts to ensure optimal function while respecting the historical value of the original build. Where components could not be salvaged, bespoke replacements were manufactured to match the original specification. Once the rebuild was completed, the gearbox underwent functional testing before being returned to site.
After more than three months offline, the clock mechanism was restarted, now running with renewed precision and reliability. The successful completion of this project restored not just the motion of the gears, but also the character of a much-loved public timepiece. The team delivered a mechanical solution that respected the heritage of the installation while securing its long-term functionality for years to come.
This project is a strong example of how Rotamec Group supports both industrial and heritage engineering sectors. From large-scale manufacturing facilities to historic civic infrastructure, our expertise ensures that even the most specialist equipment is in safe hands.
