Veterans to run new café in restored Rochdale manor house

A 19th century manor house in Rochdale which has stood empty for years has been restored, with a new café opening on Saturday.

The ground floor of Denehurst House in Denehurst Park will be run by a local organisation supporting former armed forces personnel.

The café will be managed by Community Interest Company Get Together After Serving, known as GTAS, and staffed by veterans and members of their families.

GTAS was set up by Rochdale residents Adam Trennery, Wayne Traynor and Wayne Simms and provides support for veterans through wellbeing programmes, events and get-togethers.

The café will serve hot and cold sandwiches, cakes, breakfasts, tea and coffee. The organisation also plans to work with other local businesses to offer Friday specials.

Rochdale Borough Council owns Denehurst House and commissioned local builders H Bell and Sons and interior design specialists to renovate the building.

Period features including its ornate coving and bay windows have been retained.

The council is considering using the remainder of Denehurst House as accommodation for local veterans and has completed a public consultation on the proposal.

Councillor Danny Meredith, cabinet member for housing and regeneration, said: “This has been a really important project for us and it’s great to see it coming to fruition.

“Not only was this a derelict old building, which has been lovingly brought back to life, but it will be run by local veterans and their loved ones.”

Adam Trennery, a director of GTAS and local veteran, said: “We’re made up to have the opportunity to open a café in this brilliant space. It means a lot to me personally, as I live round the corner and I’ve always thought having a café in that lovely park would be great.

“We’re really excited that we can use this as a base to further our support for veterans, while also welcoming the wider community.”

Denehurst House was built for Alderman Robert Turner, founder of Turner Brothers Asbestos company, in the 1890s.

The house and its grounds were donated to the town in 1932 and the building was later used as council offices before becoming empty.

The café formally opens on Saturday, September 5.

It will open every day from 9am until 6pm between May and October and from 9am until 4pm between November and April.