Historic Bacup Church Embarks on Digital Transformation Journey
The transformation of the former Christ Church in Bacup into a vibrant digital business hub is set to commence in the coming months, securing the future of a building that has served the local community for over two centuries. Located on Beech Street, this historic structure is now poised to become a cornerstone for innovation and economic growth in the Rossendale area.
GrowTraffic Leads the Charge in Adaptive Reuse Project
Digital marketing agency GrowTraffic, founded by Simon Dalley, has already established its office in the former Vestry, marking the first tenant of this ambitious project. Dalley, who is spearheading the development team, emphasises a holistic approach that intertwines business success with community wellbeing.
Dalley stated: "In a place like Bacup, you cannot separate business from community. If businesses grow but people don't feel they have a future here, that growth doesn't last. Equally, if community projects lack a sustainable model, they tend to fade once initial funding or enthusiasm runs out."
Phased Development to Create Modern Workspaces
The first phase of works will focus on the organ chamber compartment, where two reasonably sized enclosed office spaces will be created alongside a podcast and photography studio. Interest has already been expressed by a local model who currently hires hotels in Manchester for shoots but sees potential in having her own office closer to home.
The second phase will see the side aisles developed to accommodate six self-contained offices, each measuring 4m by 4m. Centrally located co-working pods, designed to echo the shape of the building's arched windows, will provide flexible workspace that can be reconfigured to open up a training area when needed.
Skills Development and Community Integration
Dalley highlighted plans to leverage the hub for skills development, particularly in cyber security: "We have numerous courses that GrowTraffic already delivers, and we aim to collaborate with others to provide training in vital cyber security skills. There's no reason why local residents shouldn't access training locally to secure work with national organisations—much digital work can be done remotely, and this hub can equip them with necessary skills."
Preserving Heritage While Fostering Innovation
As custodians of the building, which will be known as Rossendale Digital Hub, the development team is committed to maintaining access to the grounds where ashes of local residents are interred. Inside, several interments, four War Memorials, and memorial plaques will be preserved and remain accessible for public viewing.
Dalley added: "We remain focused on creating a digital community and engaging with creative industries, which are already thriving in Rossendale. This space will be ideal for coders, bloggers, designers, and digital business owners. When buildings like this sit unused, they become symbols of decline—we have too many such structures in Bacup."
The building was acquired in 2024 by a pension trust and is owned by a team of local investors dedicated to ensuring the hub succeeds as both a business location and community space. Those interested in the upcoming offices can contact via email at contact@rossendaledigital.com.
