Plans for Development of Todmorden’s Hippodrome Theatre as Part of Todmorden Town Deal Move Forward with Community Cinema & Further Funding Success
Todmorden Town Deal Board is pleased to share the news that our Town Deal Partner, The Hippodrome Theatre, has been awarded nearly £90K towards their building extension and remodelling project, Raise The Roof, a key part of the Todmorden Town Deal programme of investment.
Funding successes include £50K from The Rural England Prosperity Fund, £4.7K from The Brelms Trust, and £35K from the Foyle Foundation on the back of investment from the Todmorden Town Deal.
The Hippodrome Theatre is one of the country’s largest community-owned theatres, with over 350 community members and 200 young people in its youth theatre. The theatre offers an award-winning year-round programme of shows, plays and entertainment often playing to sell-out audiences.
The Town Deal project at the Hippodrome aims to create a more accessible venue, with better rehearsal, exhibition, archive and performance spaces and a more welcoming and fit-for-purpose foyer area.
Town Deal funding has also realised an ambition by owners of the theatre, Todmorden Amateur and Operatic Society (TAODS), to bring cinema back to Todmorden for local communities to experience and enjoy.
This summer the return of community cinema to Todmorden as part of Town Deal funding has attracted hundreds of families over the school holidays, with free entry and free popcorn for children.
Todmorden Town Deal aims to support better and improved opportunities for local people across learning, enterprise, health and wellbeing, arts and heritage, and through a more attractive and welcoming town centre.
Helen Clarkson, Chair of Trustees, Todmorden Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (TAODS) said:
“We are thrilled to see affordable and accessible cinema return to our theatre and that local people and communities can enjoy such a high quality experience once more at our wonderful Edwardian theatre space.
“Whilst there is more to do in terms of achieving our ambitions for the Town Deal project, we are delighted with the progress we’ve achieved so far and with the further funding we have raised to date.”
Pam Warhurst, Chair, Todmorden Town Deal Board said:
“As a Board, we are committed to developing skills and aspirations for employment for our young people including in the arts and creative sector, so we are delighted that this investment has helped to bring further support to enhance these opportunities at the wonderful Hippodrome Theatre.
“We have always been clear that Town Deal funding is just the start and to see further investment and partnership coming into Todmorden reflects this aim.”
It is hoped that construction works on The Hippodrome will start later in 2024, but this is subject to change.
To find out more about The Hippodrome Theatre and how you can get involved and support their work, visit www.todhip.org.
