£2m plans unveiled to double museum size
NEW visuals have been released as part of a planning application to expand an award-winning cultural venue.
If approved, the £2m scheme at the Whitaker in Rawtenstall will double the size of the museum, gallery, events and restaurant space, converting the current underused stables and barn area.
Rossendale council has been working closely with the Whitaker community interest company on the scheme since the company was successful in securing an initial £100,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, which the council matchfunded, for a first stage development grant.
Should the application be approved by planners, it will allow the Whitaker to put forward their final application to Heritage Lottery Fund to unlock a further £1.9m second stage grant.
Council leader Alyson Barnes said: “The Whitaker is an important cultural asset for Rossendale and continues to bring in people from far and wide. These new proposals build on the achievements of the museum and are very exciting for the whole of Rossendale.
“We are working hard behind the scenes to grow our leisure and tourism industry and assets such as the Whitaker are key to that.”
The scheme proposals also include a series of community engagement activities, events and workshop space.
Carl Bell, Whitaker managing director, said: “We have been building towards this vision since April 2013, hopefully encouraging a number of people and businesses along the way and seeing a tangible and positive change across the area. If successful we want this development to be a real talisman for the renaissance of Rossendale.
“Not only increasing visitors to this beautiful place but supporting and helping develop the whole art, heritage and cultural offer across the Valley.”
Stephen Anderson, chairman of Valley Heritage and project manager, said: “The Whitaker is an important heritage and cultural resource for Rossendale and for the wider Pennine Lancashire, which has been doing a brilliant job of engaging the community.
“The opportunity for The Whitaker to expand its offer is fantastic for the area; it will create jobs, put a spotlight on Rossendale, and boost tourism. It is great to see the ideas take shape and we look forward to supporting the project as it moves forwards.”
‘It will create jobs... and boost tourism’