Richard Street Studios

Artist studios in Rochdale.

Affordable creative studios at Richard Street Studios.
Richard Street Studios and Breaking Barriers

Richard Street Studios is home to a growing community of artists, makers, filmmakers, designers and cultural practitioners in the heart of Rochdale.

Managed by Breaking Barriers, our resident studios provide affordable workspace for creatives looking to develop their practice, collaborate with others and become part of a supportive creative community. Whether you’re an emerging artist taking the next step in your career or an established practitioner looking for a permanent base, Richard Street Studios offers a welcoming environment where creativity can thrive.

We’re building a creative community and residents have opportunities to connect with fellow artists, collaborate on projects, access artist development opportunities and become part of the wider cultural activity taking place across the building.

Why join Richard Street Studios?

We know that finding affordable, high-quality studio space can be challenging. That’s why we’ve created a space that supports artists beyond simply providing four walls.

As a resident you’ll benefit from:

  • Affordable artist studios
  • A supportive creative community
  • Opportunities to collaborate with fellow residents
  • Artist development and networking opportunities
  • Access to events, exhibitions and workshops
  • A central Rochdale location close to public transport
Richard street studio 6 - Studio Residents
Richard street studio 7 - Studio Residents
Our studios are home to artists working across a wide range of creative disciplines.
Some studios are designed for wet practices, with access to sinks and suitable facilities for painting, printmaking and mixed media. Others provide dry workspace ideal for photographers, filmmakers, designers, illustrators, writers and digital creatives.
Every studio is unique, allowing artists to create a workspace that reflects their individual practice.
Theatre In Flow

We are a creative company committed to the championing of marginalised voices.

Theatre In Flow is a cultural organisation based in Rochdale. We make creative work, tell stories, run programmes and deliver training that challenges discrimination, promotes wellbeing and builds confidence. This encompasses individuals experiencing homelessness, enduring domestic violence, navigating addiction recovery, grappling with racism, entangled in the criminal justice system, or living in poverty. We collaborate with youth in educational settings and a diverse range of adults in community environments. Our dedication lies in advocating for social justice, and collaborating with grassroots activists in the Greater Manchester area to champion systemic transformation

Underline

Underline is an award-winning web design and digital marketing studio. Since 2012, it has helped ambitious SMEs grow through branding, websites, SEO and paid media, creating digital experiences that look great and deliver real results.

Founder Amon Numany swapped London for the North after falling for Rochdale’s culture and creative energy. Now based at Richard Street Studios, Underline brings big-city expertise to local businesses, helping them grow and get ahead of the competition.

Luke Saxon
Luke Saxon is a visual artist working across collage, photography, and print. His practice is rooted in street photography, everyday observation, and time spent in nature. Using found materials and his own photographic work, he creates pieces shaped by place and the quiet details that often go unnoticed.
Shaun Heffernan

Shaun is a Manchester-born painter focusing on portraiture. Practising for over forty years, Heffernan often works on found or tactile surfaces u2013 old paper, newspaper, and cardboard u2013 as well as traditional canvas. By layering acrylics, watercolors, pastels, pencil, and charcoal, Heffernan creates a dialogue between the medium and the message. While the techniques vary, the aim remains constant: to make the viewer think.

DJ John Neal

DJ John Neal is an electronic music artist from Liverpool, UK, known for his signature house sound. Blending infectious rhythms, deep grooves, and melodic hooks, his music delivers an immersive and uplifting experience.

Drawing inspiration from disco, funk, and modern house styles, Neal creates dynamic tracks that connect with a wide audience while pushing creative boundaries. His productions showcase both technical skill and a natural ear for memorable, dancefloor-ready sound.

Driven by a passion for electronic music, DJ John Neal continues to craft tracks that move listeners and keep them coming back for more.

Interested in joining Richard Street Studios?

BE PART OF SOMETHING AMAZING.

Demand for studios is high and spaces are allocated as they become available.

If you’re interested in joining our creative community, we’d love to hear from you. Complete our waiting list form and we’ll be in touch when a suitable studio becomes available.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Who can apply for a studio?

We welcome applications from artists, designers, photographers, filmmakers, visual artists, theatre practitioners and creative businesses at all stages of their careers.

Do you have different types of studios?

Yes. We have both wet and dry studios, making the building suitable for a wide range of creative practices.

Can I visit before applying?

Absolutely, to organise a viewing please reach out to us at hello@richardstreetstudios.com

Where are Richard Street Studios?

Richard Street Studios is located in central Rochdale, just a short walk from Rochdale Train Station and Metrolink, making it easily accessible from across Greater Manchester.

Richard Street Studios
44-46 Richard Street
Rochdale
OL11 1DU

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Immersive Experiences

We co-create immersive experiences with local communities, bringing stories, heritage and public spaces to life.

Filmmaking

We produce high-quality films that document impact, capture projects and campaigns, and tell stories with care and creative ambition.

Theatre in Education

We create and deliver programmes that use the power of live performance to open up vital conversations with young people on the issues that affect them.

Talent Development

We develop the next generation of creative talent, offering structured pathways, paid opportunities and ongoing mentoring to early-career creatives from the communities we work in.
Projections lighting up Rochdale town hall during the Stories We Tell audio walk
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Stories We Tell - Rochdale November 2026
12 Nov 2026
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12 Nov 2026