Work to start at £5.5m Heywood Civic Centre revamp

Preston-based Conlon Construction has been appointed to extend and modernise the community hub that has provided events for the town for decades.

Work will begin before Christmas, with completion expected by autumn 2025. The total contract value reaches up to £5.5m.

Rochdale Development Agency directed the project on behalf of the council. K2 Architects and Your Trust were also involved.

The building found off Pine Street will see a café and bar installed at its front, an expansion of its foyer, and upgrades to the performance space to improve lighting and sound.

Retractable seating is to be installed in the centre’s auditorium, allowing for a flexible use of space. Improvements will also be made to boost the building’s accessibility and sustainability credentials.

The centre’s auditorium will be upgraded with improved lighting and sound for its audience. Credit: via TWA Marketing

Darren Lee, commercial director at Conlon Construction, said: “This renovation is about more than modernising the building; it’s about creating a vibrant, inclusive space for performances, exhibitions, and social connection.

“As with all our projects, we’re committed to leaving a lasting, positive impact on the local community.”

He continued: “From creating apprenticeships and training opportunities to collaborating with local suppliers and talent, this project represents our dedication to investing in the people and places we serve.”

Conlon Construction has hired local operatives and apprentices to work on the project part-time and is offering 20 weeks of training opportunities for local T-level students.

The contractor has a strong regional reputation, having built the National Football Museum, Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, and Manchester Metropolitan University.

Funding for the centre has been sourced from Rochdale Council, Arts Council England, and Your Trust, which will operate the facility and be responsible for readying the building for the public.

Cllr Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and cooperation at Rochdale Council, said: “This Arts Council England-supported project will really lift the cultural offer in this area and enable it to put on an even wider variety of productions, which will attract people from the local area and beyond.”

Cllr Danny Meredith, cabinet member for housing and regeneration at Rochdale Council, noted that the project is a part of the town’s wider masterplan which includes 72 affordable homes that are already being built at the former Marina Ropeworks site.

Heywood is one of the 55 areas across the country that received £20m in funding from the Towns Fund to support their regeneration.

To view the application, use the reference number 23/01241/FUL on Rochdale Council’s planning portal.