A Victorian building described as an “unsustainable drain on public funds” will close its doors on Friday ahead of a £2 million redevelopment.
Denton Festival Hall will contain apartments alongside a community space when it reopens after what Tameside Council describes as a ‘prolonged period’.
Funds for the scheme come from £16.8m provisionally awarded to Denton in November 2023 as part of the previous government’s Levelling Up pot, which has now been approved by the current regime.
It means Denton will join Ashton, Droylsden, Hyde and Stalybridge in projects to improve infrastructure in Tameside’s town centres.
Cllr Andrew McLaren, deputy leader of Tameside Council, said: “We respect the heritage of Denton Festival Hall and its value as a community venue.
“However, the hall has not been in full time use for a number of years and – in its current format and condition – is an unsustainable drain on public funds.
“The Levelling Up money presents an exciting opportunity for us to work with a private developer to redevelop the building to secure its future to meet both residential and community needs.
“In the meantime, we’re working closely with current users of the building to ensure they can continue their valued work in the community during the temporary closure.”
Denton North East Luncheon Club will hold one more monthly meeting at the Festival Hall on September 25, but all other community groups will move to new venues from next week.
The Peel Street building opened in 1893 as Denton Lads’ Club, with an extra north wing added four years later.
It then became the town’s Free Library and Technical School before a renovation of the south wing in 1951 to coincide with the Festival of Britain saw it renamed the Festival Hall.
