Our History

Etherow Centre Charitable Trust History

Highslide JS
Summer 1982 - The Etherow Centre prior to any restoration work taking place.

The decline of the textile industry meant that by the 1980s, the once thriving industrial community of Broadbottom had become a quiet residential village with no commercial activity that could sustain such a large warehouse. Over the years maintenance had been neglected and the building had fallen into a ever-increasing state of disrepair and local residents had become concerned about the dangers presented by the building (pictured right). They also felt that such an important a building in the history of Broadbottom should not be allowed to simply rot away.

Highslide JS
Spring 1983 - The upper floor of the Etherow Centre prior to renovation work taking place.

The Community Centre Association, led by the late Betty Cohen, was very worried about the condition of the railway warehouse (pictured left). They arranged a meeting with British Rail in the early 1980s to discuss the future of the building. Local organisations were invited, together with representatives from Tameside MBC to discuss possible uses for the building, eventually producing the idea of using the building for disabled riding. This would provide a much needed service for the wider community, whilst at the same time maintaining the basic integrity of the building as a large open space, thus preserving its traditional character and appearance. The easy accessibility of the building by both the adjacent rail station and situated within a couple of miles of the M62 motorway made it possible to serve people from not only Tameside, but also the High Peak of Derbyshire and Stockport.

The Etherow Centre Charitable Trust eventually managed to purchase the building with finance provided by Greater Manchester Council, as one of their last acts before abolition in 1982. The costs involved in renovation were far too great for the Etherow Centre Charitable Trust to fund from local resources alone and their role throughout has been the lengthy and painstaking task of identifying grant sources, local sponsors and government-funded schemes which have allowed this major project to come to fruition.

Highslide JS
Summer 1989 - Constuction begins on the disabled access ramp for the Etherow Centre.

Around the time the scheme to renovate the Etherow Centre was coming to fruition Tameside MBC were having problems with their increasingly successful Gymnastic Club, which made use of a purpose built Sports Centre a mile or so away. The building accommodated a wide variety of sporting activities and the Gymnastics Club found their time slots were severely limited by the need to put out and clear away their extensive equipment. Negotiations between the Trust and Tameside MBC led to an agreement between them for the Local Authority to lease the top floor of the Etherow Centre as a permanent Gymnastics Club, with the provision by means of an external ramp for disabled people to take part in those activities which were within their capabilities and which would be beneficial for their specific conditions (pictured left).

Having found several ways the building could be used to serve the community and the necessary funding and renovation could begin. There was always a strong wish from the community, architects and local planning department to maintain the traditional materials and character of the building during the renovation and adaptation of the Etherow Centre. Reclaimed materials were used where possible, including the natural slate roof and stone detailing of sills, threshold and outdoor courtyard areas.

Highslide JS
Summer 1986 - Constuction begins on the new roof structure for the Etherow Centre.

The new activities enabled the retention of the original large internal floor areas at both levels, with ancillary accommodation being provided at each end of the building. A new mezzanine floor was also constructed in these positions allowing additional floor space to overlook the new ground level riding area. Operational requirements of the Gymnastics School, for a taller internal floor to ceiling height of the upper floor, together with the considerable deterioration lead to the formation of a new tubular steel truss and lattice roof construction sympathetic with the architectural style of the building (pictured right).

Highslide JS
Autumn 1999 - A photograph of the new stable built for Kingfisher Riding for the Disabled taken shortly after completion.

The building was decorated on completion in 1987 and has been serving the community ever since. In 1997 funding was secured to construct the only new-build element of the scheme, a free-standing stable block for the horses, designed to complement the details of the original warehouse (pictured left). It was an important element of the overall project, providing the Riding Group's horses with much more satisfactory accommodation. Despite all major renovation and construction work being complete, as with any building of this size and age, the Etherow Centre is in constant need of fresh funding to carry out essential repairs and maintenance.