Banana Enterprise Network, a local charity, is seeking support from the community after learning about Rock Hall in Farnworth, and developing outline plans for the renovation and sympathetic extension of the building.
The charity, which started in 2014, specialises in supporting low-income families, single parents and the unemployed across Greater Manchester, by helping to remove barriers to self-employment. Two of the Charity’s Trustees live in Bolton.
Since January, when Banana Enterprise discovered Rock Hall was available to lease from Bolton Council, they have worked on their proposals and have consulted specialist heritage building organisations with a view to taking on the lease. Their plans include the development of Rock Hall into a commercially viable Heritage and Community Centre with a café/bistro, crèche, function room, enterprise zone, training rooms and a manager’s apartment with an overall investment of approximately £1.5m. The Charity’s view is that the Hall is currently too small for a number of community and commercial uses and propose to extend it at the back of the building. It was previously extended at the rear in the 1980’s when it was last renovated.
Working with local trusted community groups, the charity’s outline proposal also includes outdoor activities that are sympathetic to the wildlife and nature within Moses Gate Country Park. Their aim is to provide facilities and various health and wellbeing related, fun and educational activities for all ages of the community. Rock Hall would become a “destination venue” attracting visitors locally and beyond, giving a much-needed boost to the local economy and creating jobs and volunteering opportunities. The Charity’s proposals depend on the Council’s approach to permitting additional activities in the park, which could, together with the expansion of the Hall, help to generate enough commercial income to preserve the Hall for future generations.
After months of work, the outline proposal and architectural strategic plan was submitted to Bolton Council in June 2020 and further discussions are continuing with the Council. The Charity’s most recent contact with local Councillors and the Leader of the Council, has been positive. Jayne Allman, the Banana Enterprise's CEO, said:
“We are aware that the Council has been considering various options for the Hall, including the possibility of putting it up for sale. Saving and renovating a historic building is an enormous and lengthy task, which requires a lot of funding. We believe the Hall needs £500k of maintenance work currently to bring it back to its former glory. We are trying to help the “cash strapped” Council to save their own building and create a lasting viable community asset. Rock Hall, built in 1807 for the Crompton family, is an important reminder of Farnworth and Bolton’s paper-making heritage, which lasted for over 250 years. The Hall is ideally placed to create something special for Farnworth. We have asked the Council to consider working in partnership with us and other relevant partners because together, I believe we can save the Hall”.
The charity asked the Council if they could consider a Community Asset Transfer and were informed that they don’t have such a policy currently, but are working on this.
Banana Enterprise Network has submitted an application to the Council’s legal department, to nominate Rock Hall as an Asset of Community Value. If accepted, this would delay any potential sale for 6 months to give the community a chance to work together and buy the building. The charity is now looking for support from the community to help save Rock Hall.
Jayne Allman commented:
“We need to demonstrate to the Council and potential funders of the redevelopment project, that our proposals are viable and sustainable. We must also show them just how much “saving Rock Hall” means to the community. Our project idea fits in with Bolton Council’s 2030 vision of wanting to “contribute to a place where people feel Active, Connected and Prosperous”.
Banana Enterprise Network is seeking to establish a project steering group, consisting of people/organisations with relevant skills and knowledge, who are interested in giving some of their time to help save Rock Hall for the benefit of the community. The Charity is also applying to a heritage funding organisation for a grant to enable them to commission a project feasibility study. If any local groups or individuals are interested in helping the Charity please contact Jayne Allman at jayne@bananaenterprise.co.uk The Charity has set up a Facebook page called Save Rock Hall and they also have an online survey which they are asking the community to complete.
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