Accelerator Projects

Accelerator Projects

Accelerator Projects

As part of the invitation to submit a Town Investment Plan to secure up to £25m of funding, Todmorden was given an upfront “advance” of £500K whilst our bid for the full amount was being considered. It was intended that this could be spent on a number of smaller projects which could be delivered relatively quickly, but they still had to meet the initial Towns Fund criteria.

Below you will find a brief introduction to the diverse range of “Accelerator Projects” which, together, it’s hoped will benefit a wide cross-section of our community.

Christmas Lights

The very first of the Accelerator Projects to come to fruition (at the end of 2020) was brand new Christmas light displays following £55K of funding and the will by all involved to achieve a rapid turnaround.

There were new lights in Todmorden Town Centre, Cornholme and Walsden, plus, for the very first time, festive lights in Portsmouth & Eastwood too.

The town centre had a new set of static displays with some twinkle to them and there were also new icicles across the Market Hall entrance, a new display at St Mary’s Church roundabout, and new Christmas Tree decorations.

In all other areas, there was a new type of multicoloured moving lights which can change every ten minutes.

If you missed them last year they will be returning again for Xmas 2021 – and hopefully for years to come.

Christmas Lights

The very first of the Accelerator Projects to come to fruition (at the end of 2020) was brand new Christmas light displays following £55K of funding and the will by all involved to achieve a rapid turnaround.

There were new lights in Todmorden Town Centre, Cornholme and Walsden, plus, for the very first time, festive lights in Portsmouth & Eastwood too.

The town centre had a new set of static displays with some twinkle to them and there were also new icicles across the Market Hall entrance, a new display at St Mary’s Church roundabout, and new Christmas Tree decorations.

In all other areas, there was a new type of multicoloured moving lights which can change every ten minutes.

If you missed them last year they will be returning again for Xmas 2021 – and hopefully for years to come.

Town Hall Railings

Todmorden’s much loved Town Hall is benefiting from a series of refurbishments to restore this wonderful building to its former glory, and to create a space fit for purpose for community use whilst preserving its heritage.

Todmorden Town Deal Board allocated £44,000 funding for the restoration of the original railings around the building which have suffered wear and tear over the years. The work has now been completed following the removal of the railings for refurbishment and the smart newly restored railings are now back in situ. Where they have been since the late 19th Century!

The railings were stripped down to bare metal and repainted in a specific shade of blue identified from the Minton tiles in the grand ballroom of the hall – which has since also completed its refurbishment, with a grand reopening in October 2021.

Town Hall Railings

Todmorden’s much loved Town Hall is benefiting from a series of refurbishments to restore this wonderful building to its former glory, and to create a space fit for purpose for community use whilst preserving its heritage.

Todmorden Town Deal Board allocated £44,000 funding for the restoration of the original railings around the building which have suffered wear and tear over the years. The work has now been completed following the removal of the railings for refurbishment and the smart newly restored railings are now back in situ. Where they have been since the late 19th Century!

The railings were stripped down to bare metal and repainted in a specific shade of blue identified from the Minton tiles in the grand ballroom of the hall – which has since also completed its refurbishment, with a grand reopening in October 2021.

Cargodale Bike Delivery Service

Todmorden’s growing reputation for innovating eco-friendly solutions is one step closer with Cargodale, the town’s electric cargobike delivery service, which moved into a new home in Todmorden Market Hall in April 2021, thanks to investment from Todmorden Town Deal Board’s Accelerator fund.

The funding will support Cargodale, a Community Interest Company set up in 2020, to build on its success in providing Todmorden’s communities and businesses with a local zero-emissions delivery service.

The exciting move will see the realisation of an up to the minute technology-driven hub through which Cargodale will expand its existing delivery services enabling more local cafes, shops and businesses to deliver to more customers via zero-emission large capacity e-cargobikes.

Cargodale Bike Delivery Service

Todmorden’s growing reputation for innovating eco-friendly solutions is one step closer with Cargodale, the town’s electric cargobike delivery service, which moved into a new home in Todmorden Market Hall in April 2021, thanks to investment from Todmorden Town Deal Board’s Accelerator fund.

The funding will support Cargodale, a Community Interest Company set up in 2020, to build on its success in providing Todmorden’s communities and businesses with a local zero-emissions delivery service.

The exciting move will see the realisation of an up to the minute technology-driven hub through which Cargodale will expand its existing delivery services enabling more local cafes, shops and businesses to deliver to more customers via zero-emission large capacity e-cargobikes.

Hippodrome Theatre

In June 2021 Todmorden’s much loved and highly successful community-owned theatre, The Hippodrome, celebrated a fantastic makeover of the facade of its 500-seater Edwardian building just in time to welcome audiences and participants back to live performance.

It is hard not to notice The Hippodrome on Halifax Road now, with an array of attractive and stylish new signage, sparkling illuminations, 60-inch digital poster screens, refurbished windows, front doors, a brand new ramp and (season dependent) lovely planters full of flowers alongside benches where passers-by can sit and let the creative juices flow.

The new improvements are designed to raise the profile of the building, improve accessibility and offer a more attractive frontage to promote the theatre’s programme of shows, events and opportunities.

Hippodrome Theatre

In June 2021 Todmorden’s much loved and highly successful community-owned theatre, The Hippodrome, celebrated a fantastic makeover of the facade of its 500-seater Edwardian building just in time to welcome audiences and participants back to live performance.

It is hard not to notice The Hippodrome on Halifax Road now, with an array of attractive and stylish new signage, sparkling illuminations, 60-inch digital poster screens, refurbished windows, front doors, a brand new ramp and (season dependent) lovely planters full of flowers alongside benches where passers-by can sit and let the creative juices flow.

The new improvements are designed to raise the profile of the building, improve accessibility and offer a more attractive frontage to promote the theatre’s programme of shows, events and opportunities.

New Wheels Park in Centre Vale Park

The creation and completion of this fantastic new facility has been a long time in the making. However, when in late 2020 the opportunity arose to bid for funding (including some of the Towns Fund Accelerator Funding) this allowed the project to move from the drawing board to reality at a great pace.

The fact that it’s done so owes much to the collaboration of Todmorden Town Council, Todmorden Town Deal Board and Calderdale Council working together.

Following feedback from local youngsters, parents and very experienced skateboarders, the creation of a new high-quality wheeled sports park suitable for skateboards, scooters and bikes – from beginners to experts of all ages – was brought to fruition.

A great day was had by all who came along to the Official Opening Event on the August Bank Holiday Sunday and it continues to be extensively used.

New Wheels Park in Centre Vale Park

The creation and completion of this fantastic new facility has been a long time in the making. However, when in late 2020 the opportunity arose to bid for funding (including some of the Towns Fund Accelerator Funding) this allowed the project to move from the drawing board to reality at a great pace.

The fact that it’s done so owes much to the collaboration of Todmorden Town Council, Todmorden Town Deal Board and Calderdale Council working together.

Following feedback from local youngsters, parents and very experienced skateboarders, the creation of a new high-quality wheeled sports park suitable for skateboards, scooters and bikes – from beginners to experts of all ages – was brought to fruition.

A great day was had by all who came along to the Official Opening Event on the August Bank Holiday Sunday and it continues to be extensively used.

Unitarian Church Lodge

Accelerator funding has also been allocated to work on the Unitarian Church Lodge – and indeed Bike Racks in the Town Centre – but these projects haven’t been completed as yet.

We will update this page when we have more information.

Unitarian Church Lodge

Accelerator funding has also been allocated to work on the Unitarian Church Lodge – and indeed Bike Racks in the Town Centre – but these projects haven’t been completed as yet.

We will update this page when we have more information.