Huge £330,000 funding given to Hare Hill House restoration

Hare Hill House

Littleborough’s much-loved Hare Hill House is set to get a new community café, concert rooms and business space after the Government awarded a £337,000 grant to local volunteers.

The grant includes £297,000 of capital funding for the essential re-roofing of this historic building. An additional £40,000 will support revenue costs.

With this support, MoorEnd Development Trust will take Hare Hill House into community ownership and transform it into a vibrant hub offering a café, arts space, concert venue, and facilities for local businesses. Building work is set to begin in the summer of 2025.

The funding is conditional on match-funding. £10,000 contributions have already been approved in principle by the Pennines Township Committee and the Crook Hill Community Benefit Fund.

Additionally, the trust and Friends of Hare Hill House have raised approximately £68,000, bringing this exciting project closer to fruition.

Nick Andrews from MoorEnd Development Trust, the charity which manages Hare Hill House said: "We’re grateful for the assistance of Locality who helped in preparing our bid and Paul Waugh MP for Rochdale who supported our application to the Community Ownership Fund."

Paul Waugh shared his enthusiasm. He said: "I’m delighted the Government has provided this grant and proud to have played a part in securing the funding for this fabulous project. Congratulations to Nick Andrews and his team of volunteers for their dedication to restoring Hare Hill House.

"This is a wonderful step towards giving our community greater control over its historic assets."

The project is part of a total of £36 million being distributed by government through the Community Ownership Fund. The initiative is designed to empower communities to preserve and enhance their local heritage.