Heywood Civic Centre is getting a big financial boost with a £696,000 grant from Arts Council England.
The money, awarded to Rochdale Borough Council will enable the venue to be updated and offer even more opportunities for local people. It will see the centre get new physical and digital infrastructure, improving access and its environmental impact. The money will also enable local organisation Cartwheel Arts to create new opportunities for the community to participate in the arts in Heywood and they will be re-locating to be based in the centre.
Opened in the 1970s, Heywood Civic Centre is a multi-purpose entertainment and meeting venue. It has stage facilities for live music and theatre productions and hosts a regular programme of events, national tours, dance and leisure activities.
Improvements have been made over the years but this investment will enable a major upgrade to the centre. It will benefit from a share of the Capital Investment Programme of £22.7 million to be divided up between 66 cultural organisations around the country. The funding aims to help organisations transform their buildings and equipment so they can operate safely in a post-pandemic world.
Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation said:
“This is fantastic news and we are very proud our application was successful. We are grateful to Arts Council England for this award, one of the largest grants from the scheme in the country. The centre is one of the town’s primary event and community activity spaces but is in need of updating. I think this funding demonstrates the faith and commitment they have in our plans for Heywood Civic Centre.”
