Our Venue
Welcome to our pad...
A creative space that’s brimming with collaboration and community.
We’ve been working in Blackpool for the past 11 years and have loved helping people develop their creativity, learn new skills and meet new friends through projects relating to visual arts and crafts, film, arts reporting, learning and professional development and exploring local heritage.
Now we’ve moved into a previously empty shop on Topping St and have brought everything together under one roof.
This is a place where you can explore your creativity, whether you’re a beginner wanting to explore new skills or a more experienced artist looking to develop your work.
We’re building a place where:
- You can try out different art forms and learn about all the great cultural activities and projects in the town
- Creative people can get together to share ideas and skills
- You can buy artwork and handmade goods from North West artists and makers, and get tickets for events
- You can attend or run creative workshops and browse art books
- Artists can pick up skills to help them with their creative business.
In addition to the shop, we have an art/craft workshop, meeting space, a photography darkroom and screening space. We’re all about creating safe and comforting spaces where creativity can flourish.
The building work at Aunty Social is complete, we’re just waiting on the installation of our lift which due to unexpected delays (linked to the DWP construction work on East Topping St) will now be complete by the end of Summer 2024.
It’s been a long time coming and we’re really excited to open our doors and welcome you into our new space.
Keep an eye on our news section and our social media pages to find out more about what our new space will offer and how you can be involved.
Heritage Action Zone
The restoration of 28 Topping St has been funded by Blackpool’s Heritage Action Zone which is a partnership between Blackpool Council and Historic England.
The project is aimed at using Blackpool’s heritage as a catalyst for bringing new and diverse uses to the town centre and giving a new relevance for both local communities and visitors alike.
We successfully responded to an open tender to operate the building.
Our Location
How to get here: travel, parking & public transport
Our Spaces
Have a gander at our creative spaces 👀
Main workshop space
Situated on the 1st floor, this large room can accommodate up to 35 people for workshops and talks.
It will contain moveable chairs and tables meaning that the room can be arranged in a variety of ways: theatre, boardroom, or even completely cleared for easels or mingling space.
- The huge window means tonnes of natural light.
- Large presentation/film screen and projection facilities will be available
- Features a kitchenette and filter coffee maker
Please note that there is currently no level access to this space. We’re in the process of having a lift installed and work should e complete by mid-February 2024.
Until then, the space is accessed via a single flight of 14 steps, a small landing then two small steps. Once upstairs there’s a loo. Event/activity attendees shouldn’t need to come downstairs for anything until the end of the event.
Ground Floor Meeting Room
Perfect for smaller workshop and meetings
- Seats 10-12
- Modular tables – can be set up as one long table or smaller desk spaces.
- Can have private access through a dedicated level access entrance on East Topping St.
- Level (ramp) access to toilet.
Reading Area
A cosy part of the shop that’s great for intimate get-togethers such as informal discussion groups and book clubs.
- Seats 10-12
- Access to art & social justice library
- Comfortable lounge chairs
- Lovely plants 🙂
Capacity
- Theatre – 40
- Boardroom – 20
- Making event – 30
Corporate
- Half day – £150
- Full day – £280
- Per hour – £45
Community
- Half day – £75
- Full day – £140
- Per hour – £25
Capacity
- Boardroom – 10
- Making event – 10
Corporate
- Half day – £100
- Full day – £180
- Per hour – £35
Community
- Half day – £50
- Full day – £90
- Per hour – £15
Capacity
- Informal circle in easy chairs – 10
Corporate
- Half day – £100
- Full day – £180
- Per hour – £35
Community
- Half day – £50
- Full day – £90
- Per hour – £15
Our Hire Rates
Corporate: Guideline rate for established businesses or funded/large scale organisations.
Community & Artists: Guideline rate for artists and community groups operating on a smaller budget and carrying out their regular activity, gatherings or events.
If the price listed is beyond your budget, please contact us at [email protected]
To keep the space accessible, we do offer some sliding scale rates and free sessions for those who need them. Hirers paying the appropriate rate:
- Help us to keep the lights on,
- Subsidises free access to space,
- Funds our programme activity,
- Help to maintain equipment,
- Help us to provide what people need.
Date:
8 August 2022