Appointment of Main Contractor for the refurbishment of Capital Project, Touchstones Cultural Hub from RIBA Stages 5-6

Touchstones gallery is to undergo an extensive refurbishment to become a multidisciplinary cultural hub, including new spaces for performance / rehearsal, education, artist workspaces, a new exhibition / dining experiences, a new outdoor terrace, and refreshed staff work areas to the basement. These will complemenet the existing gallery spaces on the first floor.

It is operated by charity ‘Your Trust’, in partnership with Rochdale Borough Council, and Touchstones as an organization within YourTrust are an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation – which brings additional funding to support their operation and defines key responsibilities and programmes they provide.

The existing building is a Grade 2 listed building in Rochdale Town Centre, and the works largely concern the refusbishment if the internal areas. The key outdoor works involve the creation of a new doorway to provide fire escape access, a new outdoor dining terrace, and amendments to improve access into the building.

The project is to be part funded by Arts Council England Cultural Development Fund Programme alongside Rochdale Borough Council and some funraisers. The funding deadline for the project, set by Arts Council England is March 2025.