£1.6m facelift hope for Accrington town centre shops (From Lancashire Telegraph)
When news happens, text LT and your photos and videos to 80360. Or contact us by email or phone.
£1.6m facelift hope for Accrington town centre shops
1:30pm Wednesday 25th January 2012 in Business
HARD TIMES The Victorian Arcade on Warner Street.
SHOP fronts in Accrington town centre’s conservation area could get a £1.6million facelift.
Buildings on Blackburn Road and Church Street were criticised by planning officers last year claiming that ‘ugly’ premises were overshadowing architectural gems – including the Victorian Arcade on Warner Street.
Hyndburn Council is pledging £100,000 to revamp the conservation area and has applied for £1.5million in heritage lottery funding for the remainder.
Plans involve facelifts for the area’s 19th and early 20th Century buildings and to reintroduce period features such as street lighting and furniture.
Coun Miles Parkinson said a key aspect of the plans would see shop fronts and signs replaced.
He said: “Times have been hard and businesses have not been able to keep up appearances, so quite a lot of the shops have a dated look.
“Not only is Blackburn Road the main route into town, but it features some of the most important buildings in the borough.
“The aim will be to make the buildings appear the way they did when built.
“If we are successful with this lottery bid, we can make the conservation area really special and link it, through Church Street, with plans to revamp areas at St James Church yard.”
Town centre regeneration board chairman, Coun Bernard Dawson said: “It is very early days, but it is a fantastic plan for the town. New street furniture and facelifts to the building will give businesses a boost.”
The rise of Blackburn Road began in 1848 when the railway reached Accrington.
By the 1850s, Abbey Street, Blackburn Road and Warner Street were major shopping areas, which led to the creation of the Victorian Arcade, the Market Hall and Accrington Town Hall.
The late-19th Century population explosion led to ‘notable’ Art Deco and buildings being created.
Comments(14)
NWRaider
says...
4:01pm Wed 25 Jan 12
OwdAkela
says...
6:06pm Wed 25 Jan 12
255.255.255.0
says...
6:15pm Wed 25 Jan 12
mavrick
says...
9:34pm Wed 25 Jan 12
it will never compete with the larger towns nearby, it concentrate on its smaller shops and expand the outside market, keep it different, all the big shopping malls have all the same shops selling the same stuff where ever you go in the country. use the opportunity to make Accrington the great market town it use to be.
disgusted tunbridge wells
says...
10:03pm Wed 25 Jan 12
Michael@ClitheroeSince58
says...
10:10pm Wed 25 Jan 12
Steve4x4
says...
1:45am Thu 26 Jan 12
Joseph O'M
says...
9:32am Thu 26 Jan 12
Elegant1
says...
8:36pm Thu 26 Jan 12
All around the square that included Bridges, Dewhurst's, Branded Lines, Bailey's, Len's Cafe, Woolworths, The Blue Dahlia, Burton's, Redmond's The Town Hall, Market Hall were all fine solid buildings that could well have been the heart of the town with a little though about holding on to the towns heritage. I hope that Accrington succeeds in its quest to restore it to its prime.
Elegant1
says...
8:53pm Thu 26 Jan 12
Steve4x4 wrote:I know that it will take a miracle to restore the town to its former glory but if you don't try what is the option? I hope no one tries to knock down what is considered heritage in other towns. It is worth saving.
You are taking the ****, the only buildings worth saving on blackburn road have been knocked down, accrington is a joke, sad but true, blackburn road is still a **** hole and has had more than enough money spent on it, you cant make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
I know it seems to be memory lane talking but it was once a fine town and a good place to be. All along Blackburn Road, Manchester Road, Hollin's Lane Priestley Clough, Victoria Street with its mills all had character and dare I say it a little style! I grew up in the area when times were hard but very enjoyable. Joe Mort's Con Club, Knowlemere Street. Be kind and be supportive of your area and those who are seeking change hopefully for the better!
mr beer belly
says...
9:50pm Thu 26 Jan 12
mr beer belly
says...
9:53pm Thu 26 Jan 12
Elegant1
says...
11:40am Sat 28 Jan 12
mr beer belly wrote:I agree totally with you in respect of using local laboour and tradesmen where possible. They should be given first go! In those days we had many fine trades in the area but a lot of the big builders have sadly gone to the wall. I think that expertise will have to be brought in to carry out the bulk of the work. It is a pity but a fact. I do advocate local where possible.
good idea as long as the council let local companies get a chance to quote for the work to help restore the area, and not just give it to their regular contractors.
Let'shope that it comes to fruition and we get a recovery and some pride into the area that was Accrington.
ratshowilikeit says...
3:25pm Wed 25 Jan 12