Demolition of Rossendale’s Valley Centre is a step closer (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Demolition of Rossendale’s Valley Centre is a step closer

11:00pm Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Rossendale

THE demolition of Rossendale’s Valley Centre has moved a step closer as the council announced they have appointed a demolition company.

Howard Stott Demolition Ltd has been awarded the contract to knock down the 'eyesore' shopping centre in Rawtenstall, ahead of work to create a new public space.

The council received 15 submissions from contractors to carry out the work.

Coun Andrew MacNae, the council’s representative for regeneration, said: "The standard of all the applications was extremely high.

“The demolition of the building is a large part of the project and we needed to ensure it was going to be completed safely and with a minimum of disruption to the town centre.

“The fact that so much of Stott's workforce is local to Rossendale is even better, as we know the team will be excited and proud to be involved in such a large scale project.”

Howard Stott Demolition Ltd is based in Burnley.

The contract will include the removal of asbestos from the site, demolition of the buildings and ensuring the correct levels are left for the landscaping of the site.

A date for the start of work is yet to be decided.