Banana Enterprise Network secures funding for feasibility study

Banana Enterprise Network, a local Charity which works across Bolton and Salford Boroughs, has been awarded funding from The Architectural Heritage Fund to undertake a Feasibility Study on their proposals for acquiring and saving Rock Hall in Farnworth, for the benefit of the Community.

The Project Viability grant will enable the Charity to explore different options for the renovation, repair and re-use of the Hall and further consult with the community on their proposals. It will fund professional support including the preparation of architectural drawings and outline plans enabling them to further engage with the Council’s Heritage Planning team.

It will also fund further community engagement/consultation work and professional fees for the preparation of a 5-year business plan. The study will form a key part of the proposed sustainability plan for the Hall. 

Jayne Allman, the Charity’s CEO, said “We are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded the funding as we have reached a very important stage on our journey to acquire and save Rock Hall for the community.  There are very few funding organisations who grants for this type of work, therefore such funding schemes are often heavily oversubscribed.   The Architectural Heritage Fund see the benefit of our project and the importance of saving Rock Hall for the community and have demonstrated their support by very kindly awarding us the grant funding. It is extremely good news!”.

Kelcey Wilson-Lee, Head of Programmes & Impact at the AHF said “The Architectural Heritage Fund is committed to supporting community groups to conserve, adapt and reuse their historic buildings for the greatest local benefit. Through funding early viability work at places like Rock Hall, our aim is to help build sustainable projects that will serve community needs for decades to come.”

Work will begin straight away and the Charity aims to complete the Feasibility Study by December if possible.

The Charity has a Rock Hall project specific Facebook page called Save Rock Hall https://www.facebook.com/Save-Rock-Hall-Farnworth-112674320530635  

Ends

For further information, please contact:

Jayne Allman on 07775 066130 or email jayne@bananaenterprise.co.uk

Notes to editors

Banana Enterprise Network prides itself on providing high quality pre-self-employment and personal development training and support to unemployed people, single parents and low-income families. They do this 7 days a week including evenings too, all delivered by experienced business specialists who care.   Organisations like Banana Enterprise Network have a positive impact on deprived communities by empowering people with the skills, knowledge, confidence and tools they need to help them progress towards starting their own business, volunteering or undertaking further training. Since 2014, the Charity has supported over 2500 unemployed people across Greater Manchester.

For further details about Banana Enterprise Network please visit www.bananaenterprisenetwork.co.uk

The Architectural Heritage Fund is a registered charity, working since 1976 to promote the conservation and sustainable re-use of historic buildings for the benefit of communities across the UK, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas. We are the only specialist heritage social investor in the UK. We provide advice, development grants and loans.

For media enquiries please contact Oliver Brodrick-Ward, on 020 79250199 / oliver.brodrick-ward@ahfund.org.uk