Bollington Arts Centre was established to provide a permanent home for the organisations which emerged after the first Bollington Festival in 1964.

In 1984 the Methodist Church was being remodelled and no longer needed the Sunday School situated at the top of the hill behind the church. Led by Dr John Coope and Mrs Pat Penney, a group of keen actors and singers formed a trust and negotiated loans in order to buy the building, renaming it Bollington Arts Centre.

After a lot of fundraising and hard work, the loans were paid off and the Arts Centre is still providing a rehearsal and performance space for its regular users as well as a programme of concerts, talks, classes and exhibitions for everyone to access. It is run entirely by volunteers and is self-supporting, although in 1997 (?) a grant from the National Lottery provided the funds to build a gallery and modernise the main entrance.

The auditorium has a stage (and a control room) with seating for an audience of 128. The acoustic is particularly good and there us a warm intimate atmosphere where one can almost 'feel at home'.

The Gallery, as well as housing a licensed bar, provides a light and airy space for exhibitions; these change frequently and in most cases the work is for sale.

Above the Gallery is a smaller meeting room and a much larger one, currently used as a rehearsal space, is at the other 'stage' end of the building.

Bollington Festival Players meet on Monday and Wednesday evenings, the Festival Choir on Tuesday, Bollington Light Opera Group on Thursday and a childrens' music theatre group on Sunday afternoon. A Bridge Club plays on Thursday afternoon and Friday evening and there are currently two embroidery classes, two art groups, Italian and Spanish classes and dancing classes for a variety of ages - toddlers included!, all taking place during the day.

A programme of events is organised for the Autumn, Winter and Spring - these include regular jazz and chamber music concerts, a comedy club and a series of talks on a wide variety of subjects, as well as occasional poetry readings.

It is possible to hire rooms in the Arts Centre for meetings and private events: for details of availability ring the Bookings Secretary, Mick Wilkins on 01625 576810.

Click here to see who to contact about any of the above.