Bolton Council and Banana Enterprise Network have been granted permission to kickstart the Rock Hall Revival project’s “Development Phase” by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Last September, the Heritage Fund awarded a development grant of £466,662 towards the £725,000 raised for the project’s Development Phase. This marks the first of two stages for the £4 million project.
The Development Phase of the Rock Hall Revival project is slated for completion by March 2025. It will feature free community heritage activities suitable for all ages, blending fun with education to engage more people in their local heritage.
Some of the activities will also enhance the natural surroundings of Moses Gate Country Park. Alongside urgent repair work on the Hall, the Development Phase will involve further design work, public consultation, and final architectural plans for the full restoration and expansion of Rock Hall, paving the way for planning consent.
The funding will cover legal and planning fees leading up to Banana Enterprise’s acquisition of the building from Bolton Council through a Community Asset Transfer. Additionally, the charity will bolster its capacity by enlisting specialist consultants and partners to help manage the project, such as a Project Manager with heritage expertise.
Jayne Allman, CEO of the charity, expressed delight at the project’s green light, following four years of preparation. She thanked supporters for their contribution to the initiative to preserve, restore, and expand Rock Hall for the community.
Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, commended Bolton Council and Banana Enterprise Network for their restoration efforts at Rock Hall, made possible by National Lottery players’ contributions.
Councillor Nadeem Ayub, Bolton Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, welcomed the project’s commencement, highlighting the cultural asset’s return to the community and the array of activities planned for locals.
Rock Hall, constructed in 1807 by the Crompton family of paper-makers, stands as a testament to TB Crompton’s pioneering paper drying process. The project’s unique aspect lies in the historic building’s transfer through a Community Asset Transfer process, a first in the local area.
The Hall, under Bolton Council’s ownership, shuttered in 2014 and has remained dormant since. Details on community involvement in the project and registration for free events will be shared soon.
For more information, visit the Rock Hall project-specific website at www.rockhall1807.co.uk and the Save Rock Hall Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RockHallFarnworth.
