Colne's cultural renaissance: Government funding sparks transformation for theatres and market hall

Work will begin on shopping hub in the New Year. Picture – supplied.

The Market Hall and three theatres – The Muni Theatre, Pendle Hippodrome and The Little Theatre – are all undergoing significant work in a bid to attract more people into the town centre.

The £4.8m development – which includes £3m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund – will create a brighter and more modern market hall, with improved space for traders and shoppers with apartments above.

An attractive outside area will allow more space for events and there will be a food hall, greengrocers and small retail and trading space at the front.

New Heritage Quarter will revitalise Colne. Picture – supplied.

Upstairs nine existing apartments will be refurbished to modern living standards and the existing café will be moved downstairs to create two new apartments.

Work will begin on the Market Hall in the New Year. Most traders will be moved to the former Poundland shop on Hartley Square, where a temporary market hall will be created.

Shaw’s Greengrocers – VEG-IT – and Michael’s Butchers and Farm Shop will move to Richmonds Court opposite the Market. Granny’s Kitchen is now open at The Fun House on Dockray Street.

A total of £3,487,000 has been awarded to the newly-formed Heritage Quarter which is made up of three Colne theatres – The Muni Theatre, Pendle Hippodrome and The Little Theatre.

The stage is set for a cultural revival in Colne as Levelling Up funding is revitalising the town’s theatres and creating a new Heritage Quarter. Picture – supplied.

Work is well underway at The Muni Theatre, which has been allocated £1,563,300 for a major refurbishment of all of the theatre, including new roofing and windows, along with new heating and lighting.

Pendle Hippodrome has received £1,661,100, which will enable alterations to the ground and first floor of the former historic Derby Arms public house, to extend the theatre.

New lifts and the redevelopment of the existing theatre’s foyer, box office and toilet areas are also included in the plans.

The new, extended theatre is due to be complete in June 2024.

New look for The Little Theatre

Levelling Up funds of £262,500 will enable Colne Dramatic Society to future-proof The Little Theatre.

The project will incorporate a single storey extension, including wheelchair access and facilities, along with a modern foyer, additional toilets, a green room and kitchen/bar.

The new look Little Theatre is scheduled to be unveiled at the end of December 2023.

To find out more about the projects, go to www.colnelevellingup.co.uk