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'They don't make buildings like our museum anymore'

Richard SteadNorth West
News imageRochdale Council Photograph of the Touchstones Rochdale library in 1894. The image is from the Rochdale Council archives and includes factory chimneys in the background. Rochdale Council
Touchstones Rochdale opened as a library in 1884, with a museum and art gallery added almost 20 years later.

A listed Victorian museum whose art collection boasts 14th Century paintings and other rare works is undergoing a multi-million revamp.

The redevelopment of the landmark Touchstones museum and arts centre in Rochdale includes a 130-seat theatre, dining area, and improved galleries.

Mark Taylor from HH Smith, the building firm in charge of the restoration project, said: "You don't often get many opportunities to work on listed buildings, so when that chance comes, you've got to grasp it and it's a pleasure to come to work".

"When you look at the detailed Victorian stonework and the craftmanship, you realise that we just don't make buildings like this anymore".

News imagePhotograph of Mark Taylor from H.H. Smith & Sons. He is pictured in a hard hat and a high-vis jacket on a building site.
Mark Taylor from H.H. Smith & Sons is the site manager on the Touchstones redevelopment

The grade II-listed Touchstones building opened in 1884 as the town's library and was later extended to house a museum alongside an art gallery.

Estelle Rowe, the chief executive of Your Trust, which is responsible for running the building, said: "The idea is that our four galleries will have a rotating collection of artwork on display, with a series of blockbuster exhibitions".

"We'll be also commissioning new artwork so everyone is really excited", she added.

The borough of Rochdale's art collection includes archaeology, Egyptology, natural history, geology, costumes, decorative arts and historical local artefacts.

News imageA two-storey stone historical building seen from across a roadway, with parts of the building cordoned off with fencing, while yellow signs warn vehicles approaching the site.
The Touchstones museum was converted into an arts and heritage centre in 2003

The restoration project is funded by Arts Council England and Rochdale Council, as part of an £8.5 million investment in culture across the borough.

The redevelopment includes the transformation of the former Women's Library area into a dining hall, with a terrazzo tiled floor and stained oak on the walls.

Repairs to the leaking roof have also taken place, including replacing the slates.

There has also been an upgrade of the insulation, improvements to the roof and the guttering, as well as new light protections and replacement of dormer windows.

News imagePhotograph of Estelle Rowe, the chief executive of Your Trust. She is pictured in front of paintings which have been covered in bubble-wrap.
Estelle Rowe is the chief executive of Your Trust, which operates the Touchstones building

Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council, said she visited Touchstones when she was a student.

She said: "In the 1970s, I went to Rochdale art college and we'd do our sketches and come over to Touchstones for our pottery classes.

"Coming here is like walking back in time and it just hasn't lost that feeling".

The redevelopment of the Touchstones building is set to be completed by the spring of 2027.

News imagePhotograph of the Rochdale councillor Sue Smith. She is pictured inside the Touchstones building, which is undergoing a major refurbishment.
Smith said she used to take pottery classes at Touchstones in the 1970s

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