PLANS are underway to focus the next phase of Accrington Town Centre’s regeneration by transforming four key town centre areas.

The creation of detailed plans for the ‘cultural heart of Accrington’ is said to be crucial for attracting investment from Lancashire County Council, North West Development Agency and other sources.

If given the go-ahead, Hyndburn Borough Council will begin drawing up detailed plans for four areas, highlighted as St James Churchyard Gardens, Peel and Market Square, Cannon Street and Blackburn Road.

These are said to be the key to revitalising the ‘cultural heart of Accrington’ and are the council’s next targets for development following the market hall’s regeneration.

Cabinet member for regeneration Coun Brian Roberts said: “There are some very exciting ideas such as bringing Haworth visitors into the town centre with special exhibits. We have done very well keeping the town centre vibrant through a recession.

"It’s time to build on that and a wishlist of exactly how to proceed next is what is needed.”

Initial plans are for the churchyard gardens to be developed as a base for cultural activiites as part of a ‘cultural quarter’. It would involve drawing up plans for “a contemporary garden oasis”

to help support the 460-year-old church’s own funding applications for improvements.

Plans for a ‘transformation of Cannon Street’ is also highlighted as possibly creating traffic calming schemes which would be co-ordinated with on street parking.

At Blackburn Road, planners would ‘test the feasibility’ of opening up the road in front of the town hall to traffic. The Peel Square and Market Square plans, which are reliant on the relocation of the bus station, would examine the best options for car parking and for public space.

General plans suggested for the town centre as a whole involve using Tiffany Glass exhibits as a town centre attraction, improving the quality of car parks, encouraging more independent and specaility shops, more festival events, and encouraging evening visitors by providing more restaurants and performances.