The redevelopment of Touchstones, Rochdale’s arts and heritage venue, has entered a fresh stage after the council appointed construction firm Schofield and Sons to carry out improvement work on the building’s first‑floor galleries and to complete remaining roof repairs.
What the latest phase involves
Schofield and Sons, a Greater Manchester-based contractor, moved on site this month. Their brief includes enhancing the first-floor gallery spaces to provide improved conditions for artworks and to create a lighter, brighter experience for visitors. The ground floor, basement and some earlier roof works were completed by HH Smith and Sons Limited.
- New and refurbished gallery spaces on the first floor
- Final roof repairs, including re-slating and upgrades to insulation and rainwater goods (as identified in earlier surveys)
- Provision of flexible performance and community spaces completed or progressing elsewhere in the building
As the scheme progresses, Touchstones will contain a range of new facilities already delivered or in the final stages of completion: a 130-seat studio performance space, meeting rooms, education areas, reception and dining spaces, a kitchen and purpose-built collections and storage space.
“Appointing Schofield and Sons is another milestone as this amazing project moves into its final year and I am excited to see the improvements to the gallery spaces over the coming months,” said Cllr Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council.
Funding and timetable
The refurbishment is funded through a mix of public and cultural grants. The scheme has support from the Cultural Development Fund (a Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport fund administered by Arts Council England) and Rochdale Borough Council.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Lead contractor (current phase) | Schofield and Sons |
| Earlier contractor (ground floor/basement) | HH Smith and Sons Limited |
| Completion target | Summer 2027 |
| Additional funders/grants | The Wolfson Foundation (galleries); National Lottery Heritage Fund (The Dining Room) |
Work on the first-floor galleries is being delivered with support from The Wolfson Foundation. Separately, The Dining Room — a combined museum, dining and events space — was enabled by a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant backed by National Lottery players.
Local significance
Touchstones is a long-standing cultural fixture in the borough. In 2023, the venue became one of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisations for the first time. The upgraded galleries are intended to host major exhibitions and to improve the environment for the collections held at the building.
Council leaders say the project forms part of wider regeneration and cultural investment across Rochdale. With Schofield and Sons now on site, attention will turn to completing the remaining roof works and ensuring the upgraded galleries are ready to display exhibitions under improved environmental conditions.
Work is scheduled to continue over the coming months as the project moves towards its projected handover in summer 2027.
