After a four year journey, campaigners fighting to save Ancoats Dispensary were ecstatic and relieved as the group formally took ownership of the iconic and much-loved 140 year old former hospital, while Ancoats Dispensary Trust CEO Karen Houghton highlighted the trust’s urgent need for skilled company directors to help shape the building’s future.
Ancoats Dispensary Trust writes:
Ancoats Dispensary Trust signed the lease to take possession of the derelict building from developers, Urban Splash, who have owned it since 2001.
The Trust expressed gratitude to supporters of their 4 year campaign. Trust CEO, Karen Houghton said ‘Without the help and support of the people of Manchester, the Trust wouldn’t have reached this crucial point.’
The Trust plans to restore the Dispensary and convert it into a community wellbeing centre and affordable workspace for local creative businesses. In the next few months the organisation will be carrying out urgent safeguarding works on the building.
‘We now have legal possession of the building, and initial funding in place for the safeguarding works,’ said Karen. ‘However, we still have a significant journey ahead, to raise more funds to deliver the design and the full restoration. This is what the hard work over the last four years has been about; restoring the building and ensuring it continues to be an asset owned by the community for the community.’
‘Needless to say, there is lot more to do before the Dispensary re-opens, but we are on our way to creating a space that will make a huge contribution to health and wellbeing of Ancoats community and the local economy. We’re so thankful to the people and businesses that have given their precious time and money to help us reach this point. So, if you’re interested in heritage, your local community, or just want to get involved, we invite you to come on board in whatever way you can – we’ve still a long way to go until those doors open’.
The Trust is appealing to individuals and businesses to come on board and help them to raise funds, continue to defy the odds and put the heart back into Ancoats.
