Proposal to save historic hall with £5m renovation project
NEW plans to turn a historic hall into an upmarket bistro, wedding venue and training centre, with a creche and youth activities, have been revealed.
Bolton Council is currently in talks over a 5m renovation of Rock Hall, which has stood derelict in Moses Gate Country Park for six years.
Banana Enterprise Network, the Salford-based charity behind the bid, is developing proposals which include extending the back of the listed building in a ‘respectful manner’ to maximise the potential of the 200-year-old hall.
The charity, which has two trustees who live in Bolton, also wants to offer outdoor activities in the park and is considering ideas such as a petting zoo, pop up markets and summer camps for families.
CEO Jayne Allman said the project would take at least three years to complete.
She 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 an historic building is an enormous and lengthy task, which requires a lot of funding.
“We believe the hall needs 0,000 of maintenance work currently to bring it back to its former glory.
“We are trying to help the ‘cashstrapped’ council to save their own building and create a lasting viable community asset.
“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 proposals depend on the council permitting activities in the park, which, together with the expansion of the hall, would help to generate enough income to preserve it for future generations, the charity says. Rock Hall was built in 1807 for the paper-making Crompton family.