Rochdale Pioneers Museum reopens

Photo: The Co-operative Group

Councillor Colin Lambert, Dame Pauline Green and Sara Hilton at the re-opening of the Rochdale Pioneers Museum.

2 More Image(s) In Gallery

The revamped Rochdale Pioneers Museum has reopened after a £2.3m renovation.

The museum, which opened in 1931, is housed inside a shop on Toad Lane where the movement began in 1844.

International Co-operative Alliance president Dame Pauline Green said the refurbishment would "help inspire today's and tomorrow's co-operators".

The upgrade to the museum has also seen educational staff recruited to work with schools and colleges.

It has also seen the addition of new displays of images and artefacts which have previously been held in the museum's archives.

Dame Pauline said the museum was "regarded as the spiritual source of co-operation throughout the world".

"I am sure it will help inspire today's and tomorrow's co-operators and demonstrate how co-operation can help build a better world," she said.

The Museum received a grant of £1.5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Sara Hilton, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund North West, said: “The development of the co-operative movement is an important part of our social history – both for local communities and for people across the world.