The Old Courts have agreed to purchase the Grand Hotel and are working with GMCVO to secure the investment required to fully renovate the building.

The facility will be used as a mixed use development hub focussing on support and incubation of early career and developing creative and social enterprises. The facility will feature hot-desking, shared offices and private offices as well as purpose built studios for digital creatives, a cafe and of course hotel bedrooms. It is hoped that the facility will house up to 200 individuals from various creative industries.

The Old Courts is currently working alongside Wigan Council and other partners across the borough on the Social Enterprise Network which aims to aid investment and growth for socially focussed organisations.

aThe restoration will be sympathetic to the history and identity of the well-known building celebrating the character and splendour it once boasted. Whilst the site is set to be partly re-purposed to play a new role in Wigan, the original architecture of the building will be a strong feature of the finished product.

“The need to have a facility like this has never been so strong. We are focussed on helping those making their first steps into creative and social entrepreneurship as supported as possible. Our industry strives through collaborations and sector support. We’re passionate about creating an ideas centre where individuals and organisations can work, benefit from peer support and grow with provision of training opportunities, key note speakers and introductions to local and national opportunities. We want to give these creatives the best chance of success.” David Jenkins, Managing Director at The Old Courts.