THE Friends of Stretford Public Hall is to mark its second anniversary since taking over the historic building by launching a major fundraising scheme to bring the ballroom back into use.

The organisation is inviting the community to celebrate this milestone and help fund the refurbishment of the centrepiece room with a launch event at the hall on February 4. 

The event will allow people to find out more about the community share offer and the Hall itself, with Jonathan Schofield -  a well known Manchester journalist, writer and tour guide  - speaking at the launch. 

As it is the Friends of Stretford Public Hall’s second birthday, the group is bringing the party to the hall with a cocktail bar hosted by Cocktail Stars and music from DJ Dr Sid.  

The free event is to take place from 7pm, kicking off a two-month campaign to raise £150,000 from the community to fund a series of essential refurbishment works which will transform the ballroom so it can host events accommodating up to 400 people. 

This will allow the organisation to generate sufficient income to run the hall sustainably and importantly pay investors back in the future. 

The community share offer will also allow the public to become members and co-owners of the hall through an investment in the democratically-run organisation. 

It will also help secure further funding through a commitment from the charitable fund Power to Change to match the first £100,000 raised by the community, providing an overall funding pot of £250,000 to pay for the refurbishment. 

The hall was built in 1878 by John Rylands for the people of Stretford. In the past it has been used for social events, as  a theatre and most recently as council offices.  While the share offer will be targeted at residents, anyone with an interest in the building will be able to invest.

The minimum investment will be set at £100, with investors having the option of paying in four monthly instalments of £25. 

Annoushka Deighton, chairman of Friends of Stretford Public Hall, said: “Having worked so hard to bring the hall into community ownership two years ago, it is critical we can transform the building into a vibrant multi-purpose venue. 

"We are looking to the community to help make this possible through their investment and crucially their participation as members of our democratic organisation.”

Community share offers have been used to finance a wide range of community enterprises in Manchester, such as FC United who raised over £2m in 2015 to fund their new stadium. 

The event takes place from 7pm on February 4 at Stretford Public Hall. Anyone can pledge their investment now at www.stretfordpublichall.org.uk ahead of the share offer launching on February 4.