Civic roof contract to go out to tender

The contract for the roof repairs to Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre and Theatre will go out to tender later this month with works set to start urgently.

Hyndburn Council has drawn up a and a detailed scheme of required works following a specialist survey.

The venue in Union Road in the town centre unexpectedly closed in 2023 causing a storm of protest and calls for the authority to act to repair and refurbish so it could be brought back into use.

Initial surveys carried out in 2024 highlighted the need for substantial repairs and upgrades to ‘The Civic’ including improvements to lighting and heating systems.

These findings underscored the scale of investment required to ensure the building’s safe and sustainable future.

Earlier this year, Hyndburn Council committed £500,000 from its capital programme to support the theatre’s restoration.

In addition, Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre was selected as one of ten recipients of funding through the Theatres Trust’s Resilient Theatres: Resilient Communities programme.

A grant of £10,000 was awarded to carry out essential roof survey work—identified as the first priority in safeguarding the building.

In January the venue was added to The Theatres Trust’s annual ‘Theatres at Risk Register’ as part of efforts to protect the venue.

A Hyndburn Council update on progress said: “That survey work is now complete, and a detailed scheme of required works has been drawn up.

“The council will launch an open tender process later this month to appoint contractors for the roof repairs.”

The authority’s leader Cllr Munsif Dad said: “I’m pleased to see progress being made on this important project.

“The building requires significant investment, and our first responsibility is to make it safe and watertight.

“Repairing the roof is a vital first step.

“Once the tender process is complete, we’ll move forward with the works as quickly as possible.

“Our newly adopted Corporate Strategy places a strong emphasis on protecting and enhancing our built heritage assets, and Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre is central to that commitment.”

St Andrews ward Conservative Cllr Steven Smithson said: “Our Civic Theatre is a place that is dear to all of us in Oswaldtwistle. I am pleased to see progress is be made but it is very important the council continues to keep residents and the Friends of Civic Theatre group updated on a regular basis on any future progress.

“The leader and his cabinet have committed to establishing an Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre working group, which as the ward councillor I hope to be a part of when it is set up.

“The Civic Theatre is not just a theatre but a hub for our community and all councillors want to see the Civic Theatre reopened and we must work together to achieve this.”