Clock ticking for Fire Museum plans

Artist’s impression, proposed new Fire Museum (interior)

Trustees of Rochdale’s fire service Museum have begun an anxious six-month wait to see whether their ambitious plans to acquire and redevelop the former Maclure Road Fire Station can yet come to fruition.

The site was recently listed by Rochdale Borough Council as an Asset of Community Value, in recognition of its long and proud service to the public, both as a fire station and as a museum, as well as its outstanding architectural and historic significance.

With the building about to be put back on the property market by the owners – Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service – there is now a six-month moratorium period during which it cannot be sold off, and to give the Museum time to raise sufficient funds to bid for the site.

Trustees are currently in discussion with major funding agencies but at present no firm offer has been concluded. An earlier promised deal with a private funding partner broke down in 2014 at the last hurdle, leaving the Museum in a precarious position. Interest from other potential funding partners is still welcomed.

“This story seems to run and run,” says Museum Curator, Bob Bonner. “It is now more than five years since the fire station was first earmarked for closure and the Museum has had a fireman’s axe poised above its head since then.”

Trustees have been working with specialist museum planners for the past twelve months and have now revealed their plans for a major redevelopment of the fire station site, to include a new regional-class fire museum, education facility and multi-function community and events centre based in the former first-floor ballroom.

“The preliminary designs and business projections are done, and if this project becomes a reality, Rochdale will have a facility to be proud of,” said Bob. “The vision is to restore the site to its former glory, with original art deco features, and turn it into a fantastic venue. Like everything else, it just needs sufficient capital to make this happen.”

Trustees remain optimistic for the future; meanwhile the Museum continues to operate as normal.

“The period since Christmas has been especially busy for school visits, and there is a high demand for our services,” said Bob. “But we know we can deliver an even better offer should our plans succeed.”