Preserving the past, crafting a creative future for the community

Date published: 30 April 2020

The Star Tree Studio CIC, Littleborough, will develop The Gig House to become a purpose-built public studio space that provides fun, accessible art, craft and sensory activities, classes, workshops for children and their parents/carers and adults, thanks to funding from the Co-op Foundation.

The project - located in Hare Hill Park, Littleborough - is expected to support arts, heritage, culture and leisure opportunities. It will bring benefits to the community by enhancing the existing facilities in Hare Hill Park once renovation work that is sensitive to the heritage value and local area is complete in six months’ time.

Local people can find out more about how they can get involved by emailing: hello@thestartreestudio.com

Funding has been awarded by Co-op’s charity, the Co-op Foundation, through its interest-free loans programme designed to help community spaces become more sustainable.

It has awarded a £26,000 interest-free loan as well as a £6,000 grant. The project has also benefitted from funding from Rochdale Borough Council Pennines Township Fund.

Neela Jackson, The Star Tree Studio CIC, said: “We are delighted to have been successfully selected by the Co-op Foundation to receive an interest-free loan and grant to commence this exciting project to develop The Gig House as a community space in Littleborough.

“The project, thanks to the Co-op Foundation and Rochdale Borough Council, secures the long-term future of The Star Tree Studio CIC. It will enable us to sustain our services and expand, reaching more local people and widening participation in creative activities for education, social and well-being benefits.”

For more information on The Star Tree Studio CIC, visit: www.thestartreestudio.com

Find out first about new funding from the Co-op Foundation by subscribing to its blog at:

www.coopfoundation.org.uk/blog