THEY have seen generations making awkward small talk – but now the lifts in one of Nottingham's best-known buildings are being replaced.
The Council House in the Old Market Square is having improvements costing £880,000 over two years.
As well as replacing the lifts – which still have their original fittings from 1928 – the money will replace heating systems.
Norman Packer, who runs tours of thebuilding, welcomed the renovation work.
The historian added: "It's usually a case that one or the other of the lifts is broken down so it's good that work will be done on them.
"I'm really glad that more people are getting the chance to see the Council House, with weddings taking place here and the tours.
"People tell me they walk past the building every day and have never been in and that's such a shame."
The building has seen a large increase in numbers using it in recent years.
Nottingham Coroner's Court now holds inquests there and people can tie the knot at the building after the Register Office was moved there in 2011.
Councillor Graham Chapman, deputy leader of Nottingham City Council, said he believed the lifts were similar to those used in the Empire State Building.
He said: "They're finished and have reached the end of their life. We need to replace them because a lot more people come into the Council House now and we need them to be reliable."
The city council says that, due to the heavy use of the building, the lifts are no longer fit for purpose.
Paperwork behind the decision said it is "essential" that the lifts are reliable and that they "require significant upgrade and refurbishment in order for them to be brought up to these standards".
The cars, which date from 1979, will be retained as part of the development work, which will cost £550,000.
Work on improving the heating system at the Council House will cost £330,000 and see an outdated system of radiant panels replaced with new radiators and convectors. The system failed in winter of 2012-13 with temporary radiators brought in while the fault was fixed.
