Hidden gem award for Pioneers Museum

Rochdale Pioneers Museum

The Rochdale Pioneers Museum has been crowned a hidden gem by VisitEngland.

The museum, located on Toad Lane, was given the award for its work to celebrate the birthplace of the modern Co-operative movement.

Manager of the museum Jenny Mabbott said: “We are very happy. It is really good for us. This could be a great opportunity to help us reach more customers and for more people to come and find out a bit more about us. We are really honoured that we have received this recognition.”

The Pioneers Museum re-opened in 2012 following re-development after undergoing a £2.3m revamp. The transformed site retained its original 1844 Co-Operative shop on the ground floor and added a host of new features including interactive displays, a lecture room and a cinema screen.

Ms Mabbot added: “We hope that this award will help us build on the re-development and draw in more people. We truly are a hidden gem so this might bring a bit more attention to us. It could also be good for Rochdale by increasing tourism and visitor numbers.”

The awards were introduced by VisitEngland for the first time in October 2014 to recognise outstanding attractions going the extra mile to create enjoyable and memorable experiences for visitors.