Work underway at Rochdale’s Touchstones arts venue
Main contractor H.H. Smith and Sons is aiming for a 2025 completion for the redevelopment of the town’s major arts and heritage venue.
Touchstones, situated on the corner of St Mary’s Gate and The Esplanade in Rochdale, will be a key part of the creative-led regeneration of Rochdale town centre, coinciding with the continued work on Rochdale Town Hall.
The grade two-listed gallery’s transformation into a creative and cultural hub with flexible performance and creative studio spaces began last month.
As of 2023, the cost of the project was estimated to be around £6m.
The project has been developed in partnership between Rochdale Council, the borough’s cultural charity Your Trust, and Rochdale Development Agency.
Works are also being done to improve the building’s accessibility and sustainability credentials.
Funding for the project is derived from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport’s Cultural Development Fund making up part of an £8.5m investment into arts and culture across Rochdale Council.
Rochdale Cllr Sue Smith said: “The appointment of H.H. Smith is a vital step in bringing this project to life, and I cannot wait to see the transformation happen over the coming months.”
The Manchester-based contractor’s recent projects include the local developments of the Science & Industry Museum and Halle St. Peters.
Touchstones currently welcomes over 42,000 visitors yearly and has been named an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, which it says is a testament to local community enrichment through culture.
Jen Cleary, North West director of Arts Council England said: “We are confident it will evolve into an important part of the town’s new creative district, providing more opportunities for artists, and attracting new audiences to some fantastic, new cultural activities.”
Those involved in the revamp managed by Hive Projects include Gillespies and Architectural Emporium as well as consultants BB Heritage Studio, Sutcliffe, Steven Hunt & Associates, Identity Consult, and Jenson Hughes.
Details of the application can be found by searching 23/00623/FUL on Rochdale Council’s planning portal.
