Former Calderdale social centre to be reshaped for business amid pandemic

But two business partners are attempting to do this while breathing new life into a building which was formerly used as a social centre in Todmorden, one of Calderdale’s market towns.

Frank Moore says people may think he and his daughter-in-law Rebekah Moore might be mad to start businesses in the former Todwell Centre in Burnley Road, during a pandemic but they have done it and opened this week.

Lockdown restrictions will pose issues but have also determined the building’s layout and shaped what it will initially offer.

Frank says his Oak Antiques and Collectables will take up one floor, and Rebekah’s Tea-licious Tea Rooms will be situated at entry level, under the overall “Acorn” banner, which the building is probably best known by in recent years.

Until around 2000 it was the Fox and Hounds pub before becoming a community centre which offered a range of courses and activities and also had a cafe.

Frank, who is an engineer by profession and has previously manufactured products to bring to market, has been in semi-retirement.

But he wanted another challenge and provide a setting for people who might be looking for a sales outlet for their own collectables or creations without long term rental commitments – he says people will be able to rent space within the collectables section for as little as a month at a time and he is not charging commission on sales.

He had looked elsewhere for premises before hearing about the Acorn building.

The rented building also has room for more businesses, he believes.

“My intention is to identify the building as The Acorn Centre, whilst incorporating businesses within,” said Frank.

“Our wish is that other people with business ideas will come and join us at the refreshed Acorn Centre.”