Readstone Construction starts work on Pendle Hippodrome renovation

By We Love Creative

12 Oct 2023

readstone1.jpg.jpg

Altham-based construction firm, Readstone, has started work on a £1.6m refurbishment which will breathe new life into the Pendle Hippodrome Theatre in Colne.

The year-long programme of work will ensure that the New Market Street theatre meets modern needs, while retaining its period features and original charm.

The project, funded by the government’s Levelling Up money, involves alterations to the ground and first floor of the former historic Derby Arms public house, including the installation of three passenger lifts and the redevelopment of the existing theatre’s foyer, box office and toilet areas.

Readstone were delighted to win the contract in a close-run tender process between other local firms.

Simon Whittam, project director at Readstone Construction, said: “When we received the brief to create a West End style theatre in Colne, we immediately wanted to be involved.

“I’m a local lad myself; I live in Laneshawbridge and went to school in Colne, so the Pendle Hippodrome and Derby Arms have long been staple landmarks throughout my life.

“To be able to ensure the building’s longevity within the town is extremely humbling and we can’t wait to share updates of the work with the public as the project progresses.”

The Pendle Hippodrome Theatre was opened in 1914 as a cinema and variety theatre. In 2014, the Hippodrome owners bought the Derby Arms with a vision to link the two buildings and provide disabled access and facilities.

Access to Colne’s Levelling Up funding has now enabled this to become a reality.

Kevin Mason, director of the Pendle Hippodrome Theatre Company, said: “The Pendle Hippodrome Theatre has been entertaining audiences for almost 110 years and within that time not a lot has changed within the building.

“While it is important to us to retain the historic features of both the theatre and the Derby Arms, including decorative cornices and cast-iron seats, there is a lot of work to be done to future-proof the building and make it accessible for all – right now there are a lot of steps!

“The Derby Arms was in quite a severe state of disrepair when we bought it, and we knew it would need a huge amount of investment to achieve our dream.

“Luckily the Levelling Up fund has enabled us to forge ahead with our plans and Readstone have already done an incredible job of stripping the premises, while remaining sensitive to its important historic past.”

The contract has secured full-time work for 12 Readstone employees over the next year and additional work for up to 10 subcontractors as the project begins to ramp up.

Simon said: “This is a great project for Readstone and enables us to retain a wealth of local skills within the area.”

Councillor Asjad Mahmood, leader of Pendle Borough Council, said: “It is great to see a local business with such a passion for the area working on such an important project for Colne, and we can feel rest assured, not only will Readstone do a fantastic job on bringing Pendle Hippodrome back to life with these renovations, they will do it with pride.”

The Pendle Hippodrome Theatre is a part of a £6.5 million project to restore Colne’s Heritage Quarter as the go-to destination for visitors to Pendle. 

The Levelling Up funding is also going towards bringing the Little Theatre and The Muni Theatre back to their former glory, so that Colne can raise the curtain on entertainment in the area for years to come.

Colne Market Hall will be refurbished with improved space for market traders and housing for town centre living will be created. 

Latest news

1

Lancashire Business Board chairman takes centre stage at Festival of Business Mo Isap

Lancashire Business Board chairman takes centre stage at Festival of Business

21 Jan 2025

2

Early handover success for £1.7m youth centre expansion in Blackpool Representatives from Blackpool Council, Blackpool Boys and Girls Club, Warden Construction and Cassidy and Ashton

Early handover success for £1.7m youth centre expansion in Blackpool

21 Jan 2025

3

Staci UK launches degree apprenticeship scheme Staci apprentices

Staci UK launches degree apprenticeship scheme

21 Jan 2025

4

Roundhouse submits plans for new £15 million office for 'super' Momentum scheme in Preston Roundhouse Properties plan for Bamber Bridge

Roundhouse submits plans for new £15 million office for 'super' Momentum scheme in Preston

20 Jan 2025

5

REVEALED: Finalists for the Red Rose Awards 2025 Red Rose Awards

REVEALED: Finalists for the Red Rose Awards 2025

20 Jan 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
The Lancashire Festival of Business
FOB 315
Exhibitions
30 Jan 2025

The Lancashire Festival of Business

Impact Conferencing, Burnley, BB12 6QP

09:30 - 16:00

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3
Blue-Modern-Land-Travel-Youtube-Thumbnail-2-1024x576.png.png
LBV Hub Awards
14 Jan 2025 - 18 Mar 2025

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3

Community & Business Partners CIC, Blackburn, BB2 3UA

09:30 - 13:00

North West Holiday Home Show
PLG - NWHHS - Social - Jan 2024.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
18 Jan 2025 - 26 Jan 2025

North West Holiday Home Show

South Lakeland House Showground, Yealand Redmayne, LA5 9RN

09:00 - 14:58

Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work Course - In Person
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Jan 2025 - 22 Jan 2025

Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work Course - In Person

RKMS Group , Blackpool, FY42DP

09:30 - 17:00

January Freelancer Meet-Up and Coworking Day
Freelancer Meet-Up Jan general.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Jan 2025 - 23 Jan 2025

January Freelancer Meet-Up and Coworking Day

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:00

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire
LBV Hub Event Image.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
30 Jan 2025 - 30 Jan 2025

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Chorley, PR7 1PS

18:00 - 20:00

Police Apprenticeship event
Student Centre Autumn 2022.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Social
12 Feb 2025 - 12 Jan 2025

Police Apprenticeship event

University of Central Lancashire, Foster Social Space , Preston , PR1 2HE

16:00 - 19:00

February Preston Tech Connection Meet-Up: Tech & Our Planet
PRESTON TECH CONNECTION jan.ai.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
12 Feb 2025 - 12 Feb 2025

February Preston Tech Connection Meet-Up: Tech & Our Planet

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
13 Feb 2025 - 13 Feb 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Sub36 Networking - Behind the beans
Sub36 Social1200Atkinsons New
Networking
14 Feb 2025

Sub36 Networking - Behind the beans

Atkinsons Speciality Coffee, Lancaster, LA1 1 EX

09:00 - 11:30

Red Rose Awards 2025
Red Rose Awards 2025
Awards
13 Mar 2025

Red Rose Awards 2025

Winter Gardens Blackpool

18:00 - 11:59

Lancashire Business Day 2025
241122lbvlancashiredaylhp0647web
Networking
27 Nov 2025

Lancashire Business Day 2025

12:00 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV120 Online Graphic 1
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin