The Manchester-based firm began work on site last month, which will see the much-loved building transformed into a creative and cultural hub with new flexible performance spaces and artist studios, meeting rooms and improved galleries. The work also includes a new dining space, combining the theme of food with the area’s collections, created in collaboration with Rochdale’s diverse communities. The ‘dining room’ will feature three artists who will be commissioned to work with 20 community curators to create the new museum and dining space in time for its reopening in 2025.
The Manchester-based firm began work on the site last month.
Important work will also be carried out to improve the accessibility and sustainability of the building.
The project is funded by the Cultural Development Fund (a Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport fund administered by Arts Council England) and Rochdale Borough Council as part of an £8.5 million investment in arts and culture across the borough. Touchstones Rochdale has also become one of Arts Council England’s ‘National Portfolio Organisations’ for the first time in 2024.
The project was developed in partnership between Rochdale Borough Council, Your Trust, which manages Touchstones Rochdale as the council's Culture and Leisure Partner, and the Rochdale Development Agency (RDA), which delivers regeneration projects on behalf of the council.
The Touchstones project is a key part of the creation of a creative precinct in Rochdale town centre, which includes the refurbishment of Rochdale Town Hall, a new Town Hall Square, digital and creative co-working space Fire Up, new artist workspaces on Richard Street, and new public art, signage and marketing.
Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and collaboration at Rochdale Borough Council.
Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and collaboration at Rochdale Borough Council, said:
“It is incredibly exciting to see so much activity on site every day as this amazing project moves closer to becoming a reality. The appointment of HH Smith is an important step in bringing this project to life and I look forward to seeing the transformation over the coming months, transforming the building into something truly remarkable and fit for the 21st century.st century, creating more opportunities for local residents and visitors to enjoy the culture and history of our area in a modern public space.”
Jan Cleary, director of Arts Council England's North West, said:
“We are delighted to be supporting the redevelopment of Touchstones Rochdale in Rochdale, one of our priority funding locations, through the Cultural Development Fund. It is fantastic to see the work progressing and we look forward to delivering this new and vibrant creative hub to the town. We are confident that it will form an important part of the town’s new creative district, providing more opportunities for artists and attracting new audiences to some fantastic new cultural events.”
The Cultural Development Fund, which supports the work of Touchstones Rochdale, is a trust of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, managed by Arts Council England. Touchstones Rochdale is one of Arts Council England's national portfolio organisations.