Work to start in spring on multi-million pound redevelopment of Touchstones

Work on the redevelopment of Touchstones Rochdale is due to commence this spring after plans were approved by Rochdale Council.

The aim of the project is to transform Touchstones into a creative and cultural hub with new flexible performance and production spaces for artists, improved areas for training, live events and exhibitions. The project is funded by the Cultural Development Fund and Rochdale Council as part of an £8.5 million investment into arts and culture.

Under the plans, the museum part of the venue on the ground floor will form new dedicated artist studios to offer workshops for public use, whilst the current resource library and local studies will be completely cleared out and stripped back to its original proportions for the performance studio.

The main entrance lobby will be stripped back to its original proportions with a smaller reception desk and fully accessible public toilets, changing facilities and a prayer room accessible from both adjacent areas, with improved ramp access.

The education spaces on the ground floor will remain in the same location but will be ‘completely reimagined’ with relocated storage, allowing for the original windows to be exposed and allowing for the space to be split into two rooms. A services ‘pod’ will be installed in the centre giving the two spaces access to dedicated toilets, painting facilities and storage.

The basement will be converted to provide an extensive co-working space with meeting rooms and other ancillary facilities which developers say “is a vital part of the aspirations of the new scheme.”

The purpose built gallery spaces on the first floor will be retained.

The work will also include a new dining space in the current exhibition space on the ground floor, combining the theme of food with the borough’s collections, co-created alongside Rochdale’s diverse communities.

Thanks to an additional grant of just under £250,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund ‘The Dining Room’ will see three artists commissioned to work with 20 community curators to produce a new museum space alongside several other projects in time for when it re-opens in 2025. This will include collaborations with Tate and the National Gallery and a reimagining of Harry Meadley’s 2022 exhibition Free-For-All.

There will also be works to improve the building’s accessibility and sustainability. The project has been developed in partnership between Rochdale Borough Council, YourTrust who operate Touchstones as the council’s culture and leisure partner and Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) who lead on regeneration, including culture and placemaking on behalf of the council.

A main contractor is due to be appointed in the coming months and North-west based Hive Projects are leading on the project management, with architects Architectural Emporium, heritage architect BB Heritage Studio and landscape architect Gillespies. The Touchstones project forms a key part of the establishment of a creative district in Rochdale town centre for the council. This includes the refurbishment of Rochdale Town Hall the new town hall square, the Fire Up digital and creative co-working space, new artist workspaces on Richard Street as well as new public art, signage and marketing.

 

 

Touchstones was originally built in 1884 as a public library before further development in 1903, 1913 and 2002. Its first phase was constructed in a free-Elizabethan style. It was commissioned after the original library in the town hall was damaged by a fire that destroyed the clock tower.

Funding from the town’s wealthy mill owners led to the construction of the two-storey museum extension in 1903. The 1913 extension incorporated additional museum space and two further galleries.

Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council said: “We are very grateful for the Arts Council support which is enabling us to significantly upgrade Touchstones and create new cultural projects which will help to boost visitor numbers, support local businesses and drive economic growth. Work will start on site soon, turning the building into something truly wonderful and fit for the 21st century, creating more opportunities for local people and visitors to enjoy culture in Rochdale.”

Jen Cleary, director north, Arts Council England added: “Rochdale is a priority place for our funding and so it is great to see the redevelopment of Touchstones taking place this spring, thanks to investment of £4,199,365 through the Cultural Development Fund. The establishment of a creative hub in the town centre will attract new audiences to an array of exciting performances, events and exhibitions as well as supporting the local economy.

“This project is an excellent example of how partnership working can transform places and I look forward to seeing how it develops.”

George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter