The Pompey Chimes will not ring in the new football season as the Guildhall clock undergoes restoration
The city won’t hear the chimes ring again until October
The famous Pompey Chimes will be silenced for the next nine weeks, as the historic Portsmouth Guildhall clock needs vital restoration work to play up and keep ticking.
The five bells in the tower usually chime every 15 minutes but due to the work needed on the clock, the iconic sounds will not be heard in the city again until mid-October.
Elements of the clock will be cleaned and repainted, and the chimes will be thoroughly inspected to ensure that they can ring for many years to come.
Cllr Steve Pitt, the leader of Portsmouth City Council who has responsibility for culture, regeneration and economic development, said: "The Portsmouth Guildhall clock is an important part of our city centre, and we take great pride in it. We want to hear the clock chime on for years to come, so it's important we carry out this maintenance now. With such an old building, we're making sure we use a trusted expert, and we look forward to hearing it chime again."
The Portsmouth Guildhall, previously called the Town Hall, was built in 1890. During World War II, it was hit by bombs in 1941, causing extreme fire damage and leaving only three walls remaining. The building was then rebuilt and reopened by HM The Queen in 1959.