New Futures for Old Buildings

In 2022, Aunty Social moved into its Topping Street Venue. Fondly remembered as The Card Market and a handy ‘cut through’ between Topping St and the (now demolished) St John’s Market. Following a major renovation as part of Historic England’s Heritage Action Zone scheme, this previously vacant building now provides home to a variety of creative activity.

From this example, it’s clear that repurposing heritage buildings can create opportunities for vibrant new uses that enrich our communities. However the process of refurbishment isn’t always simple.

Join Joseph Boniface and Catherine Mugonyi for a conversation that shares their experiences on the positives and pitfalls of repurposing heritage buildings through a local lens. They’ll consider architectural and community perspectives on how a heritage building can be adapted to provide useful space.

Joseph studied at the Manchester School of Architecture and worked at Hawkins\Brown in London and AEW in Manchester where he graduated as a Chartered Architect in 2008. Joseph grew up in Blackpool and set up the practice in 2010 which continues to operate from Blackpool town centre.

Catherine is one of the founding directors of Aunty Social, overseeing finance, governance, strategy and creative programmes. She coordinates the North West Craft Network and is a member of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, North Committee.

This event will be live streamed, please select the appropriate ticket on checkout.

This event runs alongside the Designing A Good Time exhibition of architectural plans taking place at Aunty Social from 18 - 20 September 2025 as part of Heritage Open Days 2025.

Access

Important physical access info:

Please note that this session is upstairs. We are in the process of installing a lift, we hope that the work will be complete by the time of this event.

The event space is up a single flight of 14 steps then you go around the corner and there are two small steps. Once you’re upstairs there’s a loo. You shouldn’t need to come downstairs for anything until the end of the activity.

If you have additional access needs (e.g. large print, level access) please let us know by emailing (using the contact organiser button/link) or sending us an SMS text/WhatsApp message on 07957 602790.

Getting Here

• Tram & Train to Blackpool North Station
• Bus: No 6 or 18 to Topping St., No 3, 3a, 5c, 6, 18 to Church St (Stanley Buildings), No 5, 5a, 5b, 6, 7a, 14 to Talbot Rd

• Driving: The closest pay and display car parks are on East Topping St and Talbot Road multi storey. There is also parking at the nearby Sainsbury’s supermarket, please make sure that you check the terms before you use the car park.