Emergency work is essential at Middleton’s Grade II listed Hopwood Hall following a structural survey revealing safety issues.
Rochdale Council did a structural survey and found urgent repairs are now needed inside. The council took over control of the hall last year after an agreement with Hopwood DePree ended.
That agreement started in 2017 and could have led to the hall being sold cheaply. This depended on a solid business plan alongside planning permissions. The council chose not to renew the agreement, which lasted seven years and had four extensions.
The council hopes volunteers can return soon to continue their restoration work there. Hopwood Hall is very old, dating back to the 12th Century.
Council leader Neil Emmott spoke about Hopwood Hall, calling it important to Middleton’s heritage. He says they will continue restoring it with support from partners like Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
These recent developments are vital and show their commitment to saving the hall. Almost £1.7 million has already been spent on it. This money came from public funds invested by the council over seven years.
Emergency work will strengthen the building so people can safely re-enter, including volunteers. They can keep up their tremendous work, if they wish, with roof repairs being particularly important for the restoration, and Historic England is helping. The council will invest over £700,000 this year.
The council is also doing a study to look at future uses for the building. Roof repairs are vital, and they are moving forward with the council and Historic England funding them. They will pick a contractor soon, by February’s end.
Repairs should begin in April after bat roosting ends, and they expect the repairs to finish in the autumn.