Ramsbottom Co-op Hall: Venue receives Theatre Trust funding

Ramsbottom Co-op Hall was one of seven theatres to receive funding through a community grant programme run by the Theatre’s Trust, which helps to preserve historic theatres for generations to come.

The Hall, which is run by the Ramsbottom Co-op Hall Heritage Trust, received £11,050 to cover community engagement, updating its business, operational and activity plans and developing a fundraising and income strategy.

The money was secured through the second round of the Resilient Theatres: Resilient Communities grants programme, run by Theatres Trust, the national advisory body for theatres.

Ramsbottom Co-op Hall is an 'at-risk' Grade II listed building (Image: Public)

READ MORE: Tottington councillor honoured for RBL volunteering work

The programme aims to help progress the restoration, reopening or revitalising of at-risk theatres by funding expert support.

As well as the latest grant, the Hall gained an additional grant of £296,000 in December from the Government’s Community Asset Fund. It has also received a further £10,000 from the Bury Culture Fund to deliver ‘Ramsbottom Come Together Festival’ on September, 22.

The festival will include activities and workshops for all ages, including spoken word, arts and crafts, music and theatre.

Founding member of the RCHHT, Stephen Marley said: “These grants will help take the project forward and secure the building for the community of Ramsbottom.

“The Theatres Trust Resilient Communities Grant will help strengthen our funding strategy and business plan mainly but with some funding to deliver projects in the community.

“The Bury Cultural Grant will help us deliver a diverse and free Music and Arts Festival for all ages in September this year which in turn helps us with our community engagement as we move toward a community share offer."

Built as an integral part of an extension to the Ramsbottom Industrial and Provident Society’s estate; the theatre is a rare surviving example from the Co-operative movement.

The theatre has received funding to help preserve its future in the community (Image: NQ)

Ramsbottom Co-op Hall was added to the Theatres at Risk Register in 2021 and around the same time, Theatres Trust successfully applied to have the building listed at Grade II.

Ramsbottom Coop Hall Heritage Trust will receive funding for community engagement, updating its business, operational and activity plans and developing a fundraising and income strategy. This will involve training and support to increase the skills, knowledge and expertise of the Board and volunteers.

Theatres Trust director Jon Morgan said: “We believe every theatre on our Theatres at Risk list has the potential to be returned for use by their communities, providing performance venues of types currently lacking in their local areas and bringing much-needed footfall to town centres.

“Theatres Trust is delighted to support the Ramsbottom Co-op Hakwith this project that will help it move a step closer to its ultimate goal.”