STRETFORD PUBLIC HALL, MANCHESTER
THE hall is a Grade II-listed, Victorian building, with a handsome clock tower – just the sort that would appeal to a developer.
And, sure enough, when its owner Trafford Council put it on the market in 2013 it wasn’t long before one showed an interest.
But when Annoushka Deighton, 44, an acupuncturist, got wind of the proposed sale, she decided she to do something about it.
“The town felt neglected, shops had closed down and there was little for people to do,” she says. “The hall was built for the community in 1878. We needed it just as much now as a welcoming place for our diverse community.”
She duly became chair of the Friends of Stretford Public Hall and, as the idea of saving the building spread, people quickly got involved. Proposals were put forward to use the hall for a wide range of classes, as a cinema space and to house studios for micro businesses.
All these projects were included in a bid that was put before the council in December 2014 as the community tried to persuade the powers-that-be that it should be given the chance to take over the hall’s ownership and running.
Amazingly, the community group prevailed in the ensuing David v Goliath struggle with the property developer and Annoushka along with others in the newly formed Friends of Stretford Public Hall were handed the keys to the
‘It was scary, a huge learning curve’
building in April 2015.
“It was scary,” she admits. “It’s been a huge learning curve finding out about laws, governance, regulations, grants and finances in running a building like this. But everyone rallied to help.”
Hundreds of locals have given their time for free to contribute to the maintenance of this vast building, by helping with everything from cleaning to painting. The community also raised an incredible £225,000 in just
12 weeks to fund ongoing restoration which started in 2017.
As Annoushka points out: “A council-run project tackling antisocial behaviour or loneliness takes time and money but the hall is a magnet for everyone. You make new friends and learn new skills.
“All activities from choir, yoga to chairobics are on a ‘pay what you can’ basis so everyone takes part.
“Our 30 tenants run small businesses contributing to the local economy, new bars are already popping up nearby.”
Future plans including hosting weddings and commercial events to subsidise the community work and to extend the volunteers programme – which helps people go on to gain paid employment.
“There is a positive sense of change in Stretford,” says Annoushka. “We had a little bit of a reputation but the hall has helped changed this perception. I really love our hall and my community.”