Can you spot a Grundy's Grid?

History Beneath Us.

Are you going on holiday? Have you moved away from the area, can you spot a Grundy's Grid!

There's prizes to be won for the grid spotted furthest away! All entries to be submitted before the end of September. Winners will be announced as part of the heritage open day celebrations in September.

Send your submissions to competition@fortyldesley.co.uk with your name and location, a close up and one slightly further away for context (and so we can check you aren't cheating too obviously) .

What's the history of Grundy's Grids?

I'm Julie and I volunteer for community engagement projects. So far i've worked on Grundy's Grids and Tyldesley Tales. Born and bred in Tyldesley.

I'm very proud of the community spirit and the people. I was brought up in Ash Street and have very fond memories of Tyldesley Wakes visiting Shakerley Common as a child.

Also as a proud Rotarian (Tyldesley and Atherton) I see the benefits daily of getting involved in your local community and being inspired by others.

A few months ago we made a short film for the Institute for Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) Conference. Its a virtual tour of the High Street and our progress to date. The film highlights the range of partners and stakeholders involved in delivering our Heritage High Street Action Zone in Tyldesley conservation area. It includes the Project Team, Project Board members, conservation architects, conservation officers, contractors, volunteers, and of course our local building owner and landlords. There are more people and partners behind the scenes including building surveyors, structural engineers, asbestos surveyors, planning officers, highways and local historians.We would like to thank the community for their continued support and patience while we work on the properties involved in the scheme. Our projects can be identified by the blue banners "Revitalising our Hi Street" We hope you enjoy the film. Credits:Thanks to David at Vanstock Wigan for the drone footage.Traders Matt Whitehead- Redemption cafe, Anna Leigh The Little Chippy Landlord Sam Pouya - Pachinos Pizza Contractors Kieran Croughan Trinity Renovations Conservation Architect - Bernadette Bone BB Heritage Senior Conservation and Design Planner -Richard MacDonald Wigan Council Special thanks to Rob Darlington for his production and editing skills.

Local property developer and coffee lover Matt Whitehead has worked tirelessly to realise his dream and will be opening Redemption Coffee and Kitchen, a speciality coffee house serving a brunch menu.

Matt was one of the first landlords on the high street to approach For Tyldesley to see if we could work together to retain the historical architecture as he began the development of the previously derelict Independent House on Chapel Street.

He has created a contemporary coffee house/brunch restaurant on the ground floor and 2 one-bedroom high spec duplex apartments above with amazing views over the Cheshire plain.

For Tyldesley has supported Matt by part funding the window repairs and replacements, upgrading them to double glazed unit to reduce his carbon footprint, retain the ornate original features and frame the views across Top Chapel to the Market Square. The shop front has been restored, new pilasters, corbels and facia have framed the original glass panels creating an impressive entrance letting the early morning light flood the café while you enjoy a coffee and a croissant.

Matt told us “Working in a conservation area has brought a number of challenges that you wouldn’t usually encounter. However, partnering up with conservation architects and surveyors has enabled me to make the vision a reality. It’s been a lengthy development process to create this space, but it has been a labour of love. I’m a lot happier now it’s all done and it's clear to see the benefits of retaining the original features. The building now looks amazing and I’m grateful for the support I had from For Tyldesley and also the assisting grant from Historic England has ensured that this building reclaimed its former glory and that this piece of local history was not lost.”

Redemption Coffee and Kitchen is due to open in the new year and Matt is actively recruiting staff at the moment. If you would like to find out about the available roles, manager@redemptioncoffee.co.uk for more information.

1 Matt Third from right with partners from Historic England and For Tyldesley CIC

Ian Tomlinson – For Tyldesley Manager said “ Matt’s project is a perfect example of what we are trying to achieve in Tyldesley. Bringing a vacant property back into use, providing residential accommodation and creating new jobs for local people. We hope that such projects will provide a great retail and leisure experience that, in turn, will improve the footfall and dwell time in the conservation area. We wish him good luck in his new venture, well done Matt”.

Until you see the before and after you can't fully appreciate what has been done. 119 Elliott Street now our HAZ office (Heritage Action Zone) What makes the biggest difference for you? Personally we LOVE the set back door and tiling.

Thank you to all the lovely comments we've had so far!

Come and take a peek inside one of Tyldesley's oldest and most Iconic buildings, Franks Cafe. Established in 1945 the Cafe has seen numerous owners over the years from the original Frank to the most recent Mike and Robbie, who served here for 35 years and even had a late-night license. The building itself dates back to the late 1700s and has many secrets to uncover. Currently under renovation as part of a project run by For Tyldesley and in association with Historic England we get to take a peek behind closed doors and uncover some fantastic history and secrets that lie within.

Special thanks to The Urban Collective for putting together the video.

Are you interested in local history? Passionate about local landmarks and their unique architecture? Do you have a local beauty spot that means something to you? Do you want to capture stories?

This is your chance to take part in our photography competition! Click HERE to find out more

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Historic England have commissioned a short film to mark the halfway point ( 2 years) of our Tyldesley Highstreets Action Zone (HAZ) project. Thanks to all the beneficiaries, traders and residents who took part in the filming. I know you didn't all make the final edit and know you will be disappointed.

Your enthusiasm and passion for Tyldesley was great to see and continues to motivate the delivery team during the challenging days we sometimes have to overcome.

We still want to thank you for contributing and appreciate your support. We hope you make the final cut if they decide to make another film at the end of the project and hope it doesn't spoil your enjoyment of the film.

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