Anyone who has followed the story of the Glossop Creative Trust over the last 10 years, will know that we have always had an interest in the future of the public halls in the town. Whilst its been slow progress at times, things are moving forward with community focussed plans for both Victoria Hall (More of that in a future post) and the Town Hall complex both building momentum.
Town Hall Project Funding
The Town Hall project had a major boots recently when D2N2 confirmed £2m funding for the project as part of their Getting Building Fund. The cash that comes on the back of recent investment in the building by HPBC to repair the Town Hall roof, and current work to improve the Market Hall, paves the way to bringing the complex fully back into use with the community at its heart.
The work on the project over the least 10 years by High Peak Borough Council in partnership with the Trust, meant that it was pretty much “spade ready” and a perfect candidate for a bid to the fund.
A vision for the Future
So now that this funding is secured, what next for the Town Hall complex buildings?
For me the project has never been about the buildings. But rather about what part the buildings can play in the economic life of the town.
Glossop currently lacks a focal point! There is so much creative talent in the town; Artists, Writers, Musicians, Performers, Designers…. The list goes on. But this talent is hidden & dispersed across the town. My vision, and that of the Trust is that these buildings, along with Victoria Hall, create this focus. Providing a destination where people can come to enjoy the creativity of the town.
To this end, we have been working with placemaking consultant Claire Tymon to communicate our vision for the development. That it become:
A new cultural and social hub in Glossop town centre. providing space for conversation, collaboration and creativity. It will encourage a “have a go” attitude, welcoming independent businesses to have a place to test ideas and grow.
Furthermore, it will provide the local community and visitors with a new indoor market and a range of diverse spaces for work, events, exhibitions and
entertainment.
It is this vision that we are currently working with High Peak Borough Council to bring about through development of the Town Hall complex on the back of the D2N2 Funding.
The Next Steps
So how are we planning to turn this vision into a reality? The answer to this lies in the two strands of our activity at the moment:
Strand 1 – Partnership with HPBC to deliver the Town Hall project
With a deadline for completion of Summer 2022 the project to develop the Town Hall complex is an ambitious one. Our objective in this area is to work with High Peak Borough Council to ensure that the project delivers on our shared vision and it has the buy in and support of both the creative & wider communities in the town. To achieve this, are sitting with senior members of the project team on a subgroup focussing on the ultimate use of the buildings, and ensuring that practical aspects of the development support the vision for the complex as a
“A new cultural and social hub in Glossop town centre”
Strand 2 – Glossop Creates
Glossop Creates is an initiative that we launched towards the end of 2020 which aims to support and encourage creative business & individuals within the town. The initiative, spearheaded by Clair Tymon and Stephen Dexter, is supported financially through grants from both High Peak Borough Council and Arts Council England.
Through Glossop Creates, we will be engaging in a series of activities over the coming months including:
- Hosting virtual networking events for business & individuals involved in food & beverage, music and arts & creative
- Hosting on-line makers markets showcasing local businesses & talent
- Establishing a mentoring programme to aspiring local creatives
- Micro commissions to local artists to provoke peoples thinking about their response to the current situation and inspiring different generations to connect with the town
- Developing an “Urban Room” to help people make a connection with the town in which they live, and to inspire thought about the future.
Through this activity, we are looking to stimulate creativity within the town and to build momentum within the creative community that will inform support and stimulate the discussions and activities around the development of the halls as they come to fruition.
2021 is lining up to be a busy and exciting time for the Glossop Creative Trust, so be sure to sign up as a member or supporter and we will be sure to keep you posted.
