 It was designed by Alfred Waterhouse in a similar style to one of his earlier works, the clock tower of Manchester Town Hall.The first stone was laid by Thomas Schofield JP, Alderman and Rochdale Borough Councillor, on 19 October 1885 and the tower was declared complete on 20 June 1887, the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria.It contains five bells which ring on the hour and at 15-minute intervals.