---
title: About Us
subtitle: Who we are, and what we do
show_big_cta: true
---
### What is Leigh Hackspace?

Leigh Hackspace is a shared community workspace that offers the facilities you need to make a bunch of stuff you’re not able to make at home. Maybe you don’t have the right tools? Maybe you don’t have enough space? Maybe you’re stuck trying to figure out a problem you’re not able to solve on your own? We’re here to help!
Solve problems

Visit Leigh Hackspace and solve all of these problems – we provide workspace, inspiration, equipment, ideas, support, training and even some materials for ‘hacking’. All with a great community spirit and a ‘can-do’ atmosphere.

‘Hackspaces’ have nothing to do with computer ‘hacking’ (although it’s a great place to come and learn how to program or otherwise master your computer).

### History of the hackspace

The first meetings of Leigh Hackspace took place in late 2014 at Cadence Cafe, Tyldesley, Greater Manchester, following the creation of a Facebook Group 'Leigh Virtual Hackspace'. After two such 'hacking' meetings, the founders were offered the temporary share of a derelict shop at 25 Market Street by the Leigh Building Preservation Trust as part of a wider empty shop scheme.

{{< image src="shop.jpg" >}}

The joint official opening was held on 13 February 2015. The shop allowed us to spread the word and the space grew quickly, ending with us taking full use of the store during the year. After some time we started to outgrow the space, and started to search for new premises.

### The Cotton Mill

In early 2016, the hackspace moved from the shop to a 4000sqft dedicated space in [The Cotton Mill](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mather_Lane_Mill). The official opening was on Friday 12th February and was celebrated with an Open Hack evening and other events.

{{< image src="cottonmill.jpg" >}}

The Cotton Mill was large enough to have dedicated areas for the darkroom and wood work. Over the years we ran several events, including Raspberry Jam days, Maker Markets, hack days, quizzes, and even a film screening in association with Leigh Film Society.

The mill was a great home for the hackspace until 2019, when again we outgrew the space and was looking for something better.

### Moving to Leigh Spinners Mill

[Leigh Spinners Mill](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leigh_Spinners) was being redeveloped by the Leigh Building Preservation Trust into an arts and local business centre during 2018, and the hackspace agreed to take space in the mill once it was able to. 

The initial build-out happened during November 2019, but was paused early 2020 due to the global pandemic. Only during the latter part of 2022 was the hackspace able to return to fitting out the space, due to several building issues that prevented people working in the mill. 

{{< image src="buildout_1.jpg" >}}

### Leigh Hackspace '3.0'

The '3.0' hackspace opened Feburary 2023 and now consists of three units on the third floor of the mill. A shared main space, a workshop and craft area, and a social space. Some areas were still being built out, but the space was now open for members to use.

In early July the [electronics bay]({{< ref "/facilities/electronics" >}}) was completed giving members a wide selection of tools and components for any projects they are created. Then in November the [darkroom]({{< ref "/facilities/darkroom" >}}) was finally fitted for power and could be used by our members.

### Looking to the future

The hackspace will always be in a fluid state as we think of additional ways to utilize the space available to us. Our on-going aim is to foster relationships with the mill residents and the wider Leigh community. 