🔥 Trending National Lottery Funds Major Transformation for Rock Hall

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has provided significant funding for the transformation of Rock Hall in Farnworth, Bolton, into a community heritage hub and visitor destination ¹³.

Funding Details and Purpose

The primary goal of this funding is to restore the Grade II listed Rock Hall and convert it into a multi-purpose, community-focused building ⁷. The project aims to celebrate the building's rich history while connecting people with the surrounding natural environment ¹.

Key aspects of the funding include:

• Total Grant Amount: Bolton Council secured a grant of £4.4 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund ¹³. Some reports indicate a figure of £4.6 million in total funding, suggesting additional contributions or a slightly revised total ²⁶.
• Project Scope: The funding will support the "Rock Hall Revival project," which is a collaboration between the charity Banana Enterprise Network and Bolton Council ⁷.
• Previous Funding: Prior to the main grant, Rock Hall had already received £467,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for initial restoration work ⁸.
• Percentage of Total Cost: An earlier bid indicated that the National Heritage Lottery Fund was expected to cover 80% of the total project cost, with a specific bid amount of £4,138,370.98 ⁴. This suggests other funding sources are also contributing, such as £472,000 secured through the "Pride in Place" initiative ⁴.

Impact and Community Benefits

The transformation plans, which were approved in July 2026, are expected to have several positive impacts ⁵⁶:

• Community Heritage Hub: Rock Hall will become a vibrant center for the community, offering a space for various activities and events ¹².
• Visitor Destination: The restored hall is anticipated to attract visitors, boosting local tourism and engagement with the area's heritage ¹.
• Environmental Connection: The project emphasizes connecting people with the natural environment surrounding Rock Hall, which is located in Moses Gate Country Park ¹⁸.
• Team Expansion: The project has led to the expansion of the team working on Rock Hall's revival ⁷.

The funding is a direct result of contributions from National Lottery players ¹²⁵.