Centre Vale Park Projects – Bandstand Renovation
Working in partnership with The Town Deal Board, Calderdale MBC and The National Lottery Heritage
Fund, Todmorden Town Council, as Sponsor for the Centre Vale Park projects and delivery partner for the refurbishment of the Grade 2 listed Bandstand, has achieved a major milestone towards bringing back to life the Bandstand in Centre Vale Park by appointing contractors and contracting to commence works by the end of April 2025.
The Centre Vale Park improvement projects are a key element of the £17.5M Todmorden Town Deal investment programme in the town, to boost the local economy and bring better opportunities for health, wellbeing, leisure and enjoyment to residents and businesses.
Rosslee Construction Ltd, based in Accrington successfully tendered against competition to be awarded the contract to not only refurbish the Bandstand, but also take forward the Bowls Pavilion Project.
Following a campaign locally to seek listing of the Bandstand, restoration of this iconic centrepiece in Centre Vale Park was included as one of six projects for Centre Vale Park funded by Town Deal funds and other external grants.
Following a successful grant application for £248,000 made by Todmorden Town Council to The National Lottery Heritage Fund , made possible by National Lottery players, and monies from the Town Deal, Todmorden Town Council working with Calderdale Council were granted a lease of the Bandstand in November 2024 to the Town Council to enable the project to move to the delivery stage.
Built in 1914, the Edwardian Bandstand is one of only five surviving open fronted ‘theatre’ style Bandstands and, as such, it has remained a highly visible and historic local landmark in the town for over a century. The Bandstand sits at the top of Todmorden’s principal green space, Centre Vale Park, and once renovated its future will be secured for community use including performances, festivals and events throughout the year.
As part of the project, Todmorden Town Council is working with the local community-led Bandstand Group who will have a role in engaging with local performing organisations to use the restored Bandstand, as part of a town wide ambition to coordinate events and performance across Todmorden’s diverse spaces.
Cllr Denis Skelton, Leader, Todmorden Town Council said:
“Having secured funding and taken on the responsibility of ownership of the Bandstand, despite many challenges along the way, we are now able to take restoration of the Bandstand forward and are pleased to have appointed Rosslee Construction to take this forward.”
Pam Warhurst, Chair, Todmorden Town Deal Board said:
“I congratulate everyone involved on this wonderful news. Bringing the Bandstand back into use is a key moment in the range of Centre Vale Park projects being led by Todmorden Town Council in partnership with Calderdale Council and Town Deal Board. News of the Bowling Pavilion project also moving forward as well and the Fielden Hall energy retrofit works nearing completion, together with improvements already seen to the Tennis Courts, are great examples of how all partners have not only responded to numerous challenges, but also the resolve to make these happen.”
James Duffy, a member of Todmorden Bandstand Group said:
“We’d like to thank everyone involved for making the restoration of the Bandstand now a reality and cannot wait to see a restored Bandstand takes its rightful place in Centre Vale Park . We look forward to working with the Town Council to bring this wonderful building back into use.”
Michael Clarkson, Managing Director of Rosslee Construction Ltd said
“Rosslee Construction Ltd is delighted to be awarded this prestigious contract and looks forward to working with Todmorden Town Council to deliver this specialist work in Centre Vale Park, mindful of the need to minimise any disruption to regular park users as construction works move forward.”
Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said:
“We are delighted to support Todmorden Town Council with this project to return the magnificent Grade II Listed Bandstand to its former glory. It’s wonderful to know that, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, local people will be able to come together and enjoy performances in this unique space once again.”
For more information on the Centre Vale Park Projects, visit Todmorden Town Deal and Todmorden Town Council – Centre Vale Park Projects