STALYBRIDGE’S Civic Hall will become a multi-use space after almost £1 million of further improvement.
The building, formerly known as Victoria Market Hall, has seen its roof replaced.
Now a meeting of Tameside Council’s executive cabinet on Wednesday, December 18, will see further plans outlined – both to make it better and how it will be used in future.
And it will also be marketed in a different way as the authority looks to attract events to give the town what is described as a ‘unique offer.’
Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre will stage additional activity through its ‘The Den’ project there in May 2025, with the plan being it leads to a pilot programme across the year and early 2026.
Documents state: “The programme will include markets, food and drink events, music, theatre, comedy, art and arts/cultural exhibitions and enable the council to test demand and operational requirements.
“The potential for a mixed-use approach to future use of the Civic Hall, incorporating food and drink alongside wider cultural activity, would support a unique offer for Stalybridge within Tameside, and the wider Greater Manchester area, whilst providing the opportunity to further identify income generation opportunities.”
In an attempt to attract greater usage, a proposed new pricing arrangement would see the Civic Hall cheaper to hire, both for an hour or a day, after Tameside Council’s conversations with artisan market, tabletop market and music event operators.
On a Sunday, the £325 cost for 12 hours is almost one third of the current £936.
And Tameside Council will also look to push the venue differently, with a report adding: “To generate additional interest in the use of the Civic Hall for a mixed programme of events and cultural activity, it will be necessary to deliver a step change in how the building is currently marketed and promoted.
“In the absence of any current funding for a dedicated officer resource to undertake this it is proposed that a cross-directorate officer group and a stakeholder and member sub-group of the Stalybridge Delivery Group provides support for this in the initial pilot programme and longer-term plan, seeking to make best use of existing resources.
“It will also be necessary to review current user charges to ensure the use of the space is financially viable for potential users.”
As well as the hopes for extra usage, the executive cabinet will also hear of almost £1 million of work to improve the Civic Hall.
This includes a £100,000 repair of its internal lift, upgraded lighting and toilet refurbishment, each valued at £180,000, £70,000 of work on its kitchen and £40,000 of redecoration.
In total, it is priced at £885,000, although including risk and contingency the budget is pushed put to £994,750, with the intention of it being completed by May
Opportunities will also be sought for the more effective use of the existing office space within the building.
Following completion of the roof replacement, £250,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SME Workspace) programme has been identified to complete further improvements.
And £750,000 is available from the £19.9 million funding secured for Stalybridge town centre after site investigations of council-owned sites in Stalybridge West, deemed the remediation cost will be lower than first thought.
The report also reveals contractor Robertson has been given until the end of the year to rectify a number of snagging issues which were highlighted by independent certifiers of the roof work.
Councillor Andrew McLaren, Tameside Council’s deputy leader and executive member for growth, housing, and homelessness, said: “It is important we see and invest in opportunities like this.
“These improvements form part of our continuous regeneration programme and aren’t just about a building, they will help transform Stalybridge.
“They will make public spaces better, bring more visitors, help local businesses, and celebrate our town’s culture.
“The Civic Hall is at the heart of this plan. It will become a lively and versatile space for events and a key part of the community.”