Operators Michael and Julie Coady are moving on after 6 years running Rossendales premier venue. Michael and Julie took over the running of the venue after the original caterers Steve and Wendy Anderton emigrated. The couple first started catering nearly 20 years ago working at the Rolls Royce factory Social Club in Barnoldswick. In 2005 the couple decided taking over St Marys Chambers Conference and Function would compliment their already established outside catering business but with growing popularity for outside event something had to give. Mr Coady said that it was becoming increasingly difficult to run both his Classic Caterer business and the on site catering requirements at St Marys Chambers. He said “I just couldn’t do two things at once, and St Marys was suffering as a result”. Michael and wife Julie are hoping to hand over the keys to new management in August.
Peter Boys said “We think St Marys offers a fantastic opportunity for someone with fresh ideas and enthusiasm to put St Marys back on the map. St Marys is a fantastic facility and has great future potential”. St Marys Chambers holds a license for Civil Ceremonies.
The centre has had its share of notorious visitors with names such as Nick Leeson, Derek Hatton, Paul Burrel and the Hamiltons raising money for charity there. Although more recently famous politicians and Premiers such as Tony Blair and David Cameron have called in at St Marys during national election campaigns to rally support.
The subject of a recent make over by a London interior designer, St Marys Chambers is a prominent Grade 2 listed building, constructed in 1856 by local businessmen David and Peter Whitehead as a Methodist Church after a disagreement with the congregation at Longholme Methodist Church some 300 yards away.
After its use as an air raid gathering point and subsequent use by Rossendale Senior Citizens the property was bought by local Developers B & E Boys in 1990 and eventually renovated in 1999 providing 3 floors of offices and superb Conference and Function facilities
All interested parties should apply in writing to Tracy Roberts at B & E Boys, Todd Carr Road, Waterfoot, Rossendale, BB4 9SJ