Development plan to address HLF feedback on Glossop Halls

The initial bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund to rejuvenate Glossop's heritage halls has not been successful  - but the partnership behind the plans say this is far from the end of the project and talks are planned with the HLF.

High Peak Borough Council, Glossopdale Trust and Glossop Heritage Trust plan to restore and convert the Market Hall, Town Hall and Municipal Buildings to meet local demand for new leisure, community and retail space with a particular focus on the cultural and creative sector.

The Council has committed £2 million towards the scheme and, together with its partners, submitted a bid for £4.8 million of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund's enterprise scheme this summer.

Funding has not been approved at this stage with initial feedback from the HLF indicating the need for the partnership to provide more details about the management of the project once any physical works are complete and to engage more people with the heritage aspects of the scheme.

Council Leader, Councillor Tony Ashton, said: "We knew that our project would be competing for limited funds against stiff competition so it is not unexpected that we have not been awarded funding at the first application.

"'Our project development plan includes the points raised by the HLF, alongside other issues, so we can take some reassurance from that. We have a face-to-face meeting with the HLF in the diary in early November and we're looking forward to hearing from them as we firm up our next actions.

"What is clear is that we remain committed to the project and to working with the wider community and the market and arcade traders. We have had a useful meeting with the National Market Traders Federation to explain our aims and look forward to further strengthening our links with all groups, organisations and individuals who are interested in seeing this project succeed."

Roger Hargreaves, from Glossop Heritage Trust, added: "These buildings are a key part of Glossop's past and our ambitious plans are seeking to ensure they are a key part of the town's future.

"We are aware that we need to do more work in some areas, including making the heritage aspects of the project more central, and we'll work on this as a partnership as the project develops."