A charity is one step closer to saving the historic Rock Hall, after being awarded grant funding of almost £300,000.

The charity Banana Enterprise Network has been working towards acquiring and saving Rock Hall since January 2020, has now been awarded £295,000 from the Government for their Rock Hall project. 

The charity submitted their funding bid application in August and have been anxiously awaiting news. 

The grant will enable the charity to make further progress with their Rock Hall project, helping cover the initial maintenance costs of the building, community activities, and help with the overall progress of the project.

The funding will also help pay for some of the legal services used, and the architects, as well as other professionals to help with a public consultation.

 

Jayne Allman said the charity’s CEO, said: “This is a huge achievement for our small charity.

“We are just ordinary people who decided to take on this extraordinary challenge. 

“We are feeling an immense sense of pride about the work we have done, since we started our Rock Hall project in January 2020.

“We wish to thank the Government funding team for accepting our funding bid and Bolton Council, who own the Hall currently, for agreeing to work with us on the project. 

“This is a key milestone moment, and it will be a real boost to our supporters.

“The funding will enable our charity to continue to make progress towards saving, acquiring, and restoring the Hall on behalf of the community.

The Bolton News: Historic Rock Hall building dates back to 1807Historic Rock Hall building dates back to 1807 (Image: Newsquest)

“We would also like to thank our volunteers, supporters, and trustees for believing in our idea to save Rock Hall. “They have consistently provided us with moral and physical support to get us to this stage.

“We are very excited and what a wonderful way to end the year.”

The hall in Moses Gate Country Park was built  in 1807 by the Crompton family of paper-makers.

Thomas Bonsor Crompton was a pioneer and developed a unique paper drying process, which he patented.

The hall which is owned by Bolton Council, closed in 2014 and has been unused since then.

Cllr Adele Warren, Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “This funding means Rock Hall will benefit from the investment and development it needs and is a significant step forward in terms of regeneration activity beyond Bolton town centre.”

The Bolton News:

Cllr Hillary Fairclough, Bolton Council’s Deputy Leader said: “Rock Hall is of great importance to the local community.

“The council has been working closely with the charity and local ward councillors to secure the future of the building and today’s announcement is truly fantastic.”  

Following the rejection of their £4m bid for the National Lottery Heritage Fund, they are also set to submit their expression of interest in January 2023, before submitting the bid in May 2023.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities announced the successful second round allocations from £150 million Community Ownership Fund (COF) on December 10.

The Government funding scheme COF helps community groups take ownership of local institutions that have fallen into disrepair or are under threat of closure and give them a new lease of life, ensuring they continue to provide vital services, create opportunities, and boost local economies.

Read more:

If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.