Todmorden Town Deal project scaled back due to 'cost pressures'
A plan to refurbish the Riverside Centre has been dropped - but other elements of the scheme are progressing
Some of the projects funded by a town’s £17.5 million funding award are now visibly progressing – but one element has been dropped.
Plans to refurbish the Riverside Centre in Todmorden will no longer progress as part of the community’s Town Deal investment programme.
The proposed Riverside Centre improvement scheme at Walsden, led by Upper Calder Valley Renaissance (UCVR), was one of eight projects making up the UK Government-funded Todmorden Town Deal programme.
The project was originally approved by Todmorden Town Deal Board to promote economic growth by supporting the visitor economy, and to deliver an all-ability cycling track alongside plans to refurbish and modernise the pavilion building.
However, with this element facing significant cost pressures, UCVR submitted an alternative proposal to Todmorden Town Deal Board, which was independently assessed.
But the Board considered key parts of the original project that would have enhanced the visitor economy, and therefore the economic benefits to the town, had been withdrawn and concluded that the Riverside project could no longer go ahead as part of the programme.
Funding that would have been used will be reallocated to other projects in the Town Deal programme.
But other Town Deal Board-approved elements are progressing, with work starting on refurbishment of the Hippodrome Theatre – Steve Clarkson of the theatre recently updating Todmorden ward forum on progress, Todmorden Community Learning Hub, Todmorden Town Hall and the bandstand and bowling pavilion at Centre Vale Park, where the tennis courts have been also been completed.
Construction of the Enterprise Centre at Ferney Lee is underway, and the Board says summer will see the start of work improving public spaces at Bramsche Square.
Sponsor for the park projects including the Grade II-listed bandstand and bowling pavilion, as designed by Buttress Architects, is Todmorden Town Council and a major milestone recently reached by appointing Rosslee Construction Ltd as contractors for both projects.
Steve Kendall, senior architect at Buttress, said: “It’s been a real privilege to work on the restoration of two much-loved landmarks that hold deep significance for the town.
“Local support for the restorations has been vital in our work and it’s been fantastic to see the community’s passion for preserving local heritage.”
Built in 1914, the Edwardian Bandstand is one of only five surviving open fronted ‘theatre’ style bandstands.
It was hit by an arson attack in the late 1990s and after refurbishment also suffered vandalism, fenced off for safety reasons and in need of repair.
The restoration work has been made possible following a successful grant application for £250,000 made by Todmorden Town Council to the National Heritage Lottery Fund, and monies from the Town Deal.
The look and feel of the new bowling pavilion will hark back to the original building, but in a contemporary way, say the architects.