The birthplace of the global co-operative movement in Rochdale has received prestigious national recognition. The Rochdale Pioneers Museum at 31 Toad Lane has been selected as one of the top ten most important sites in the UK for Trade, Industry and Commerce by Historic England.
A Cornerstone of Social Enterprise History
This historic location is where, on 21 December 1844, 28 working people known as the 'Pioneers' opened the world's first successful co-operative store. During a period of severe economic hardship, the shop provided local people with access to good quality, fairly priced food. This revolutionary model of social enterprise, where customers were equal members, sparked a movement that spread across the globe.
The museum's inclusion in Historic England's list of 100 Places that shaped England's history was confirmed by judge Tristram Hunt, the historian and Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The list was compiled from public submissions and expert judging panels across ten categories.
Expressing delight at the recognition, museum representatives highlighted the site's ongoing relevance. "We are absolutely delighted to be recognised in this way alongside some very well-known sites," a spokesperson said. "We welcome anyone to come and visit us for free to find out more about the heritage of co-operation and what impact it had on British trade, economy and a better, fairer life for the people."
The museum team is now collaborating with Historic England to develop local Heritage Schools in the borough this summer, aiming to celebrate Rochdale's unique historic character.
Creative Momentum in Rochdale
Alongside this heritage celebration, Rochdale is buzzing with contemporary creative projects. At Touchstones Rochdale, a group of 11 young people have recently completed the intensive production phase of a British Film Institute (BFI) Short Film Course.
After workshops in skills from scriptwriting to sound recording, the group finalised their script titled 'Hacked Off' on 8 November. They then embarked on a three-day shoot at Hollingworth Lake Water Activity Centre from 15 November, braving sub-zero temperatures to wrap filming slightly ahead of schedule on 22 November. The final editing phase will take place in the new year, with the finished film showcased at HOME in Manchester in February.
For those inspired to develop their own creative skills, Hopwood Hall College is offering a Drawing Fundamentals - Level 2 Award course. Starting on 21 January 2026, this 15-week beginner's course runs on Thursday evenings and aims to build drawing skills valuable not just in arts professions, but also in fields like science, medicine, and law. The course fee is £300 for those not eligible for funding.
Exhibitions, Workshops and Community Events
A poignant local project, Notes from College Bank, will see its official launch in January 2026. Photographer Ellie Waters has documented the stories of residents from the College Bank area in Rochdale, compiling them into a book. An exhibition and book launch is scheduled for Saturday 10 January 2026, from 2 pm to 5 pm.
This will be followed by a free archiving workshop on Monday 12 January at Ebor Studio in Littleborough, where participants can learn to digitise old photographs, negatives, and slides with Waters and fellow artist Bob France.
Regular community events continue to thrive in local libraries:
- Monthly Reading Group at Middleton Library (last Saturday of the month, 1.30pm).
- Monthly Lego Club at Langley Library for families (last Saturday, booking required).
- Kids' Craft Club at Wardle Library every Saturday morning for children over four.
The Rochdale Pioneers Museum is open for free entry from Wednesday to Saturday, 10:30am to 4pm, at 31 Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL12 0NU. Learning bookings are available on Mondays and Tuesdays.
