Member Article

ROF 59 invests £20k on new Newton Aycliffe events venue

Newton Aycliffe is welcoming a new events venue to the area following the renovation of an old industrial tool room, once part of a World War II munitions factory.

ROF 59 activity centre, which opened last August after a £1.1m investment, has spent more than £20,000 on creating the new room, based at its premises on Aycliffe Business Park.

In recent years the building was home to Presswork Metals which manufactured parts for the automotive industry until it closed in 2004 and was formerly part of the Royal Ordnance Factory site in Newton Aycliffe, which produced bombs and bullets in the 1940s.

Business development manager Kim Fryer, who has previously held similar roles at Auckland Castle in Bishop Auckland and the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, now has ambitious plans to host a range of functions at the new site including weddings, birthday parties and charity nights.

“The possibilities are literally endless,” says Kim, who’s originally from Birmingham and has more than 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry.

“I’ve worked at some stunning places and hosted some pretty special events over the years and ROF 59 is another uniquely historical venue which can now cater for any kind of event.

“We’re looking forward to hosting more birthday parties, wedding receptions, charity nights and all kinds of events in the months and years ahead.”

Aycliffe pensioner Vera Stobbs, an original ‘Aycliffe Angel’ who worked at the munitions factory during the war, was one of the first to sample the new party room when she celebrated her granddaughter’s 40th birthday there.

“I think it’s just wonderful!” added the 91-year-old.

“It’s amazing to see what was part of the old munitions factory now being used as a place to celebrate happy times – it’s unrecognisable compared to the place I used to call work more than 70 years ago.”

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