Oldham company selected to renovate Middleton's Hopwood Hall

An Oldham-based conservation company has been appointed to carry out repairs and restore the roof of Hopwood Hall in Middleton.

Hopwood Hall Estate | MTN

Masonry and restoration specialists Maysand, which is based in Royton, will be working to return the roof to its original appearance and protect the Grade II-listed building’s heritage. 

As well as the roof, Maysand will also be restoring the leaded windows and carrying out crucial work on the downpipes and gutters to make sure the building is fully water-tight.  The project, which is costing £466,000, has been jointly funded by Historic England and Rochdale Council.

Two new apprenticeships have also opened up as part of the project. Maysand will also be delivering stonemasonry and stone carving workshops over the summer and there will be a heritage skills program taking place in the autumn along with the roof work. 

A feasibility study is also ongoing to determine potential future uses of the building.  Cllr Danny Meredith, cabinet member for housing and regeneration, said: “Hopwood Hall is a really important historic asset for Middleton and the wider borough. Over £1.7 million of public money has been invested into this asset in recent years and we are keen to build on this momentum, as we continue to forge a positive future for this Grade II-listed building. “The roof works are a vital next step in helping to protect and enhance this building’s remarkable heritage, and I’m delighted that a Greater Manchester company has won this contract. As with all our major heritage schemes, there will be ample opportunities for members of the public to get involved and be part of Hopwood Hall’s journey and we will be letting people know about these opportunities in due course.”

Some of the landmarks previously worked on by Maysand include Blackpool Tower, Chester City Walls and the Port of Liverpool.  Bryn Lisle, owner of Maysand, said: “We’re proud to be part of the next chapter in Hopwood Hall’s story. It’s a rare privilege to work on a building with such history, and our team is committed to delivering the highest standards of craftsmanship. Projects like this aren’t just about repairs — they’re about preserving heritage and passing these skills on to the next generation."

Peter Barlow, from Historic England, said: “We're pleased to be supporting this next phase of roof repairs, which are essential for the survival of the hall. The heritage skills opportunities are also great news and will help develop the much-needed expertise needed for Hopwood Hall and other historic buildings we all value so much.”

At the same time, Hopwood Hall continues to be at the centre of a dispute between Rochdale Council and Hollywood actor Hopwood DePree, who decided to move to Middleton and restore the hall in 2017 after finding out that it is his ancestral home. 

Having entered into an ‘exclusivity agreement’ with Rochdale Council in 2017, Mr DePree and a group of community volunteers began work to restore the building, which dates back to 1420.  However, last year, the council decided that there hadn’t been sufficient work done on Hopwood Hall and ended the agreement. 

Mr DePree has vowed to keep fighting for Hopwood Hall and the community. He posts regular video updates on his YouTube channel.  Follow Manchester Today on Facebook, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to Newsdesk@ManchesterToday.org.uk