Hyndburn Leisure has secured £59,515 from Arts Council England to develop a new arts and culture programme at Mercer Hall in Great Harwood.
The project is supported by Hyndburn Borough Council and the Architectural Heritage Fund and has been shaped with local people through the Mercer Hall Repurposing Group, alongside schools and cultural organisations.
The funding will enable Hyndburn Leisure to pilot a range of creative activities at Mercer Hall, helping to shape its future as a welcoming space for creativity, learning and events.
Lyndsey Sims, Chief Executive at Hyndburn Leisure, said:
“We’re delighted to receive this funding from Arts Council England. Mercer Hall is an important building for Great Harwood, and this project will help bring it back to life in a way that reflects what local people want and need.”
The new programme includes:
- Music and Opera – Opera North will work with two local primary schools to deliver the In Harmony music programme, culminating in an invitation-only finale concert at Mercer Hall in July. A series of live music events will also be piloted across summer and autumn.
- Books, Creative Writing and Spoken Word – A new annual Book Festival, taking place 14th–17th May, featuring author talks, interviews and writing activities in partnership with Lancashire County Council Libraries.
- Dance and Family Performance – DanceSyndrome will deliver an 18-week Everybody Dance programme for children, alongside summer holiday taster sessions. Family-friendly performances will also launch with Young McDonald Had a Farm on Saturday 2 May, priced at £3 including a drink.
- Music, Learning and Creative Careers – Free music lessons will support local musical talent, Ossy Fest will host a free music festival at Mercer Hall on 23rd–24th May. Cathedral Studios will also support live music workshops.
A spokesperson for the Mercer Hall Repurposing Group said:
“Mercer Hall means a great deal to local people. It’s exciting to see funding that will help turn ideas into action and make the hall a place everyone feels welcome.”
All partners are in place and delivery will begin this spring!
Image of Opera North artists from a recent production performed at Accrington Town Hall. Image courtesy of Opera North.
