Update on Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre
Update on Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre
Hyndburn Borough Council is pleased to announce that essential roof repairs are now underway at Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre and Theatre.
Image: Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre and Theatre
Site setup began on 18 May 2026, marking the start of a 26-week programme of works being carried out by Rosslee Construction. This is an important first step in bringing the much-loved building back into use for the local community.
You may have already spotted activity around the site, as scaffolding is currently being put up to allow safe access to the roof. This part of the work is expected to take around two to three weeks, depending on the weather. To keep everyone safe while work is underway, a road closure on Lord Street has been approved by Lancashire County Council and is now in place.
The council has committed significant funding to the project, with over £617,000 allocated so far towards restoring the building. Of this total, £370,000 is being used specifically for the roof repairs. There is also an additional grant of £10,000 from the Theatres Trust’s Resilient Theatres: Resilient Communities programme.
While work continues on the outside, plans are also moving forward for the inside of the building. A full internal survey is due to take place in the coming weeks, helping to shape a feasibility study on how best to bring the venue back into use.
These roof works are a key step in protecting the historic buildings future and keeping plans moving forward. The long-term aim is to see the Civic back in use as a vital and much-loved community hub once again.
Work on the roof is currently expected to be completed around the New Year, and residents will be kept updated as the project progresses.
Councillor Munsif Dad, Leader of Hyndburn Council, said:
“I am delighted to hear of the progress being made at Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre, which has been a significant part of the cultural scene in Hyndburn for generations.
This council have always been committed to ensuring the future viability of this historic building, which is why we committed £500,000 to safeguard it’s future.
I am just as eager as our residents to see the building back open to the public and ready to serve as a community hub for years to come.”