Residents in Altrincham are being invited to help secure the future of one of the town’s most valued heritage buildings through a new community share offer launched by Oyez Arts.

The initiative follows years of community action after the Town Hall was threatened with disposal by Trafford Council in 2020. What began as a grassroots campaign to protect the historic civic building has since developed into a long-term plan to transform the Town Hall into a creative hub for the community.

Oyez Arts was established to lead the project as a charitable Community Benefit Society, with the aim of ensuring the building remains in community ownership while becoming a centre for arts, culture and social connection. In 2024, the organisation was given the opportunity to operate from the Town Hall on a trial basis and has since introduced a growing programme of creative workshops, exhibitions, wellbeing sessions and community events.

The organisation said the response from residents, artists and local businesses has been overwhelmingly positive, with strong support for bringing the building back into regular public use.

The new community share offer, launched on 16 February, gives local people the opportunity to invest in the Town Hall, become members and help shape its future. Funds raised will support urgent building improvements, restore historic features and help establish the venue as a financially sustainable community enterprise.

Oyez Arts is also preparing to sign a 25-year lease agreement with Trafford Council next week, securing community use of the building for the next quarter century.

“This is about the community taking back the Town Hall,” said Jo Cushing, Director of Oyez Arts. “Every share, donation, or hour of volunteering helps keep this building alive for future generations.”

Shares in the scheme start at £100 and can be paid in monthly instalments. Local businesses can support the project through share purchases, corporate donations or sponsorship, which may qualify for corporation tax relief.

Oyez Arts said residents who are unable to invest financially can still support the initiative by volunteering or helping to promote the project.

Further information about the share offer is available at www.oyezarts.org/invest.