SOUTH Square Centre has been successful with its application to The National Lottery Heritage Fund to undertake a capital refurbishment of Grade II workers cottages as well as a three year programme of heritage activities.

A new activity programme of events, traineeships, workshops and exhibitions will be developed.

These will highlight local industrial heritage, Thornton as the birthplace of the Brontë’s and South Square’s own history as a grassroots cultural and arts centre.

Essential building repairs will include replacing the roof, introducing insulation and heating, repairing historic stone-work and 99 windows. Planning permission and listed building consent is already in place and works are due to take place later in 2020 and early 2021.

The building was built in 1832 and is an unusual example of a courtyard terrace of workers cottages set around a cobbled courtyard, located at the centre of Thornton Village Conservation Area. On top of the £561k grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, a community asset transfer has enabled a total of £926k to be secured for South Square from Arts Council England, Garfield Weston, Swire Charitable Trust and Bradford Council.

The move has been described as “transformational”.

Refurbishment plans South Square Centre in Thornton approved after impressing heritage officers

Yvonne Carmichael, Director, South Square Centre, said: “This is transformational for us, and it’s so brilliant to have recognition and support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for a grassroots project. It’s a great outcome of a lot of work from all the staff and volunteers involved in the centre, as well as the support from our audiences and the local community. I hope that it will inspire other community-focused organisations to be ambitious with their plans, especially in the context of Bradford’s bid for City of Culture 2025."

David Renwick, Director, England, North, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "Communities are at the heart of our funding, and the work of Thornton and Allerton Community Association to rejuvenate South Square Centre would not be possible without the hard work of its staff, volunteers and board, or without positive support of Bradford Council.

"We’re delighted to award this grant for them to build on the work they have already done to ensure that the local heritage of the centre is accessible to everyone, and shines a light on Thornton’s often overlooked literary heritage linked to the Brontës.

"The South Square Centre project in Thornton is an exemplar of how art and heritage can provide a potent mix to inspire pride in communities and to boost the economy and with the support from National Lottery players. We look forward to seeing them contributing to the exciting cultural regeneration of Bradford.”

A spokesman for the three Labour Councillors for Thornton and Allerton said: "We are absolutely delighted to hear the news of this successful bid and really pleased we have backed it from day one. South Square is a jewel in the crown of Bradford district and this funding will ensure it becomes more sustainable, energy efficient and warmer and accessible to more people.

"As well as important physical regeneration of the building, we are particularly excited about the learning and development opportunities the grant will provide. These include traineeships and workshops as well as projects through which the community will be able to learn more about working class heritage and Thornton as the birthplace of the Brontë’s. A special thanks to Yvonne Carmichael and the South Square board for their leadership and vision in making this a reality. We look forward to seeing the developments come to fruition."