Work Starts On Project To Extend & Refurbish Community-Owned Hippodrome Theatre With A Visit From Josh Fenton-Glynn MP
Todmorden Town Deal Board and Todmorden’s Hippodrome Theatre welcomed local MP Josh Fenton-Glynn to celebrate the launch of construction works at Todmorden’s Hippodrome Theatre, as part of the “Raise The Roof” project led by Todmorden Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (TAODS).
The exciting milestone comes after months of hard work to put together a funding package worth almost £2M on the back of the £825K awarded by Todmorden Town Deal as part of its £17.5M investment programme. The funding raised means that the vision for a remodelled and more accessible cultural venue in the heart of Todmorden can be realised by TAODS.
The Town Deal extension 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 already enabled an ambition of TAODS to bring cinema back to Todmorden for local communities to experience and enjoy, alongside the purchase and fitting out of a much needed storage space for costumes and props, improved safety and sustainability measures to the internal space and a facelift to the front of the Edwardian building, through early accelerator funding from the Town Deal.
Todmorden 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.
Key to the approach is that hundreds of local residents benefit from opportunities to gain experience and skills in all aspects of performance and production, with participants going on to stellar careers in the creative industries including roles in Coronation St. and running national theatre organisations.
Todmorden Town Deal support for 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.
Speaking on his visit to Tod Hip, Josh Fenton-Glynn, Member of Parliament for Calder Valley, said:
“Tod Hip do brilliant work in putting the arts exactly where they should be, at the heart of our community and accessible to all. I’m incredibly proud to have played a part in securing £275,000 in government funding for the Raise the Roof campaign earlier this year. Well done to the theatre team and Tod Town Deal for all their hard work, the start of construction is a huge milestone to celebrate.
“Creativity is one of our greatest strengths in Calder Valley, and I can’t wait to see the future talent developed by this project so that after 100 years of memories created at Tod Hip, they can give us 100 more.”
Helen Clarkson, Chair of Trustees, Todmorden Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (TAODS) said:
“We are incredibly proud to see work begin on this transformative project for the Hippodrome. As a community-owned theatre run entirely by volunteers, this moment represents years of vision, commitment, and determination.
“Thanks to the support of the Town Deal and other funders, we can now take the next step in securing the future of this much-loved building – not just as a theatre, but as a thriving cultural and community hub.
“This investment will allow us to welcome even more people through our doors, improve accessibility, and continue offering creative opportunities to people of all ages. It’s a huge milestone in our journey and a testament to what can be achieved when a community works together.”
Pam Warhurst, Chair, Todmorden Town Deal Board said:
“The vision of our investment programme in Todmorden is being realised through the outstanding leadership and determination of community partners like the Hippodrome Theatre.
“We congratulate everyone involved at TAODS on reaching this incredible milestone, and we are delighted that this cultural gem in Todmorden will offer even more inspirational opportunities for local people, especially our younger residents, once the works are complete.”
To enable them to realise the “Raise the Roof” vision, Todmorden Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (T.A.O.D.S), owners of the community-led theatre, have raised almost £1M. Additional funding partners include The Community Ownership Fund, Foyle Foundation, Brelms Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, Swires Charitable Trust and over £100,000 raised by volunteers and supporters at the Hippodrome Theatre.
Designs for the extension and remodelling were undertaken by Todmorden-based architects, Storah Architecture. The construction works are being carried out by Rosslee Construction with an anticipated completion time of Spring 2026.
The theatre will remain open throughout the works with only short periods of full closure.
To find out more about The Hippodrome Theatre and how you can get involved and support their work, visit www.todhip.org.