New hope for the long-term future of Stubbylee Hall

A local charity is to look at the future options for an historic Bacup hall.

Valley Heritage won the tender to work with Rossendale Council on a project to identify possible long-term uses for Stubbylee Hall and potential funding sources for improvements and restoration.

The Grade II listed hall in Stubbylee Park was built in 1808 for the Holt Family who lived there until 1911. The house and its grounds were later bequeathed to Bacup and came into the ownership of the former Bacup Corporation.

The hall, which retains many of its original features, housed Rossendale Borough Council until it moved to nearby Futures Park. Part of the building is now used as offices.

Valley Heritage is a not-for-profit building preservation trust which aims is to regenerate Rossendale’s historic buildings, support the work of other groups and raise awareness of the borough’s heritage through events and activities.

Set up by volunteers in 2015, it will work with the hall’s occupiers, the Stubbylee Masterplan Group, the local community and others to assess the condition of the building and look at future options.

Stephen Anderson, Chairman of Valley Heritage, said:

We are thrilled to be working with Rossendale Council on such an important landmark as Stubbylee Hall. We look forward to exploring and learning more about the building and its history, and assessing its potential.

With help from the current users, the wider park community and local residents, we can take steps towards bringing the entire hall into use so it can be a hub of activity and focal point of the park.

Councillor Jackie Oakes, Rossendale Council’s Portfolio Holder for Operations, added:

Valley Heritage is establishing an impressive record in Rossendale. We are looking forward to working together to establish an exciting future for Stubbylee Hall.

People can contact Valley Heritage by emailing info@valleyheritage.org.uk or on Twitter and Instagram at @valley_heritage