PENDLE Council is continuing to press its case to the Government for investment in ambitious plans to transform Brierfield Mill.

The historic Grade Two listed building, now called Northlight, has been visited by three different Government ministers in recent months.

Council chief executive Stephen Barnes said the Government could ‘help us in lots of ways’ as they sought to make the mill a major destination in the North West.

He said it was important that ministers visited and recognised the potential of the landmark mill. The Government could help by giving Brierfield and other parts of Pendle Assisted Area Status to encourage private sector investment in a project like this.

He said: “This should be confirmed in July and will lead to additional financial support for small businesses and large enterprises including those wanting to invest at Northlight.

“We’re also asking Government ministers to support our plans which are part of the new Lancashire Growth Deal which Pendle Council is backing.

“Plans include improving access to Northlight from the M65, which is a vital step for this huge development,”

The mill is owned by PEARL – the joint venture company of Pendle Council and Barnfield Investment Properties – thanks to a 100 per cent grant from the Government.

Since then, the site has been visited by Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, and Housing Minister Kris Hopkins.

Mr Barnes said: “I’m hopeful that the three ministers who have visited Brierfield Mill will help unlock funding opportunities so that we can move forward with all our plans to transform it into Northlight.

“Pendle could play a major role to re-establish Lancashire as an economic powerhouse and national centre of excellence. Northlight is a big part of that.”