The project will be developed in a partnership between Rochdale Borough Council, Your Trust who operate Touchstones as the council’s culture and leisure partner and Rochdale Development Agency.

The Touchstones project forms a key part of the establishment of a creative district in Rochdale town centre, which includes the refurbishment of Rochdale Town Hall, the new town hall square, Fire Up digital and creative co-working space, new artist workspace Richard Street Studios as well as new public art, signage and marketing.

The development will transform the building into something truly wonderful and fit for the 21st century, creating more opportunities for local people and visitors to enjoy culture and the history of our borough in a modern public space, ultimately providing more opportunities for artists, and attracting new audiences to some fantastic, new cultural activities.

The project is funded by the Cultural Development Fund (a DCMS fund administered by Arts Council England) and Rochdale Borough Council as part of an £8.5 million investment into arts and culture across the borough. Touchstones also became one of Arts Council England’s ‘National Portfolio Organisations’ for the first time in 2024.