New ‘Fireground’ museum based in Rochdale’s former fire station will open this month

Date published: 05 August 2021

Based in Rochdale’s former fire station on Maclure Road, a brand-new museum will open its doors to the public for the first time this month.

The iconic art deco former fire station-turned museum, located near Rochdale railway station, will be open to visitors from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 14 August after undergoing an extensive £2million renovation.

This extensive project was made possible through a partnership between the Museum Trust, Rochdale Borough Council, Rochdale Development Agency and the building’s previous owners Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, with support from several major funders, chiefly the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Previously located in the rear yard of the fire station, the new museum – named ‘Fireground’ – will be found in the main building fronting Maclure Road, more than four times the size of the previous Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum site.

The word fireground has been used in the fire and rescue services since World War Two and refers to the scene of operations at an emergency incident – the centre of all activity, as with ‘battleground’ in the armed forces.

Read more: Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum renamed ahead of Easter openingPublished: 13 January 2021

At the renovated premises, visitors will be able to experience a wide variety of exhibits, view a collection of historic firefighting artefacts from the 18th century to present day, and a range of vehicles including a 1940 Dennis Pump Escape fire engine and a 1965 Bedford Water Tender fire engine from Wigan.

This is the first time all the museum’s full-sized fire engines will be exhibited together.

Visitors can also enjoy a bite to eat or drink at the brand-new ‘Fireground Café’ offering a range of cakes, pastries, snacks, tea, coffee, and ice cream.

The café was the fire station's ‘duty room’ when built in 1933 and has been re-fitted with fully accessible entrances, toilet, and a direct connection to the museum. It will also have an outside seating area.

Renovated with a plan to expand the space available, the highly successful schools service ran by the museum has benefitted from a dedicated education suite incorporating every facility. This will be located above the museum with full lift access available.

A new purpose-built library and archive has also been incorporated and can be found in the former control room, whilst a children’s play area will be located inside the new museum, with exciting interactive displays around the site.

Fireground wrote to their Facebook followers: “The displays will tell the story of firefighting in Greater Manchester, through objects images and period tableaux, bringing to life the characters, fires and incidents and the technological advancements which have made the fire and rescue service what it is today.

“As well as the proud story of our local fire brigades, we will be commemorating the many fire engineering and manufacturing companies in Greater Manchester, at one time famous for producing fire engines, hoses, ladders, sprinklers and other important elements in the world of firefighting.

“For the first time our important archives and images collections will be fully accessible to researchers. The Museum holds many thousands of images showing local fires and fire service subjects, along with moving images, oral history recordings and a vast catalogue of books, documents, periodicals, and other paper items.”

The restoration has also seen many of the fire station’s original architectural features uncovered or re-instated, including the re-fitting of original 1930s doors to the fire engine turnout bays.

The station’s original 1930s folding ‘engine-house’ doors had been lost during the modernisation of the station – but a set of virtually identical doors from the same decade were sourced from Southport thanks to the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.

Read more: Historic fire station doors refitted at fire service museum, FiregroundPublished: 17 January 2021

The former ballroom on the first floor, affectionately remembered by many Rochdalians, has also undergone a complete restoration, and a skilfully re-purposed hi-tech ‘managed workspace’ will be available for rental by small business in IT or related sectors.

Many of the original art deco features on the first floor, including the wonderful stained-glass ceiling, have been returned to their former splendour by the Rochdale-based Casey Group Ltd, the main contractor of the project.

Museum curator and retired fire officer, Bob Bonner said: "After several years of planning, fundraising and major construction work, we are absolutely thrilled that this major project is now finally completed. We look forward to welcoming visitors back in this exciting new location and want to thank all the designers, contractors and volunteers who have done an amazing job.

"After closing as a fire station seven years ago, this wonderful Rochdale landmark is now looking splendid and ready to start its second life as the leading museum of firefighting.

"Do come and see us on the 14th when Blackpool’s famous Town Crier, Barry McQueen, opens the museum in his own unique fashion!"

Fireground will be open from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 14 August, then 10am to 4pm every Thursday, Friday and Saturday thereafter. Tickets for ages 4 and under will be free, children and concessions £5, and adults £7. Family tickets are £20.