Demolition work on Rawtenstall's Valley Centre set to start

7:00pm Saturday 4th February 2012 in Rawtenstall Photograph of the Author By Vanessa Cornall, Crime reporter

A MAJOR demolition scheme is set to get underway next week to finally rid a town centre of an eyesore shopping centre.

Hoardings are due to placed around the Valley Centre in Rawtenstall to protect surrounding buildings as work commences on Monday.

It is expected to take contractors Howard Stott Demolition a week to put up.

The next stage of the project will include removing asbestos from the site before actual demolition begins at the end of the month.

As of Monday the site will be completely closed to ensure the safety of the public.

However, businesses around the site will be open as usual.

Rossendale Council leader, Coun Alyson Barnes said: “This is when people will start to get really excited about the development in the area.

"It’s the first time we’ll be able to notice a physical change in the town centre and for many it will suddenly be very real.

“We’ve worked extremely hard to be able to get to this stage and the passion behind the project has proven we’ve made the right decision for the people of Rossendale.”

North Street will also be closed from Monday but a diversion will run through Lord Street.

Shoppers using bus stops in Bank Street are also warned these will close on February 13 until the end of the demolition work.

David Gould, President of Rawtenstall Chamber of Commerce, said: “We have been waiting for this to happen for such a long time, so are delighted that the project is about to begin.

"There will be some unavoidable disruption in the town centre once the works are underway, but we are working with the council to ensure this is kept to a minimum and know the result will benefit local business immensely.”

An interim plan for the site is to create a public space for live events and markets.

Comments (8)

7:30pm Sat 4 Feb 12

Stone Island. says...

Kean OUT! Venky's OUT!
Kean OUT! Venky's OUT! Stone Island.

8:43am Sun 5 Feb 12

hairy mary says...

ban the plonker above
ban the plonker above hairy mary

12:54pm Sun 5 Feb 12

Stone Island. says...

On what grounds?
On what grounds? Stone Island.

8:35pm Sun 5 Feb 12

The Roomster says...

As a Rossendale resident born and bred this is great news and long overdue! Just shows what can be achieved in 6 months if the political will is there, compared to the vacillations and never ending excuses that we had for years from the previous administration. Along with the new bus station this will hopefully kick start a meaningful regeneration of Rawtenstall town centre and give some support to the excellent independent businesses in and around Bank Street

Far better use of public money than putting it all into a minority lesiure activity in Haslingden :-)
As a Rossendale resident born and bred this is great news and long overdue! Just shows what can be achieved in 6 months if the political will is there, compared to the vacillations and never ending excuses that we had for years from the previous administration. Along with the new bus station this will hopefully kick start a meaningful regeneration of Rawtenstall town centre and give some support to the excellent independent businesses in and around Bank Street Far better use of public money than putting it all into a minority lesiure activity in Haslingden :-) The Roomster

11:51pm Sun 5 Feb 12

Eye On The Valley says...

The Roomster wrote:
As a Rossendale resident born and bred this is great news and long overdue! Just shows what can be achieved in 6 months if the political will is there, compared to the vacillations and never ending excuses that we had for years from the previous administration. Along with the new bus station this will hopefully kick start a meaningful regeneration of Rawtenstall town centre and give some support to the excellent independent businesses in and around Bank Street

Far better use of public money than putting it all into a minority lesiure activity in Haslingden :-)
I completely agree with your opening remark, and have little time for politics, but the previous administration laid the groundwork over a two year period for the purchase of the Valley Centre and do deserve some credit. Your comments can perfectly reasonably be applied to those in power prior to that though!
[quote][p][bold]The Roomster[/bold] wrote: As a Rossendale resident born and bred this is great news and long overdue! Just shows what can be achieved in 6 months if the political will is there, compared to the vacillations and never ending excuses that we had for years from the previous administration. Along with the new bus station this will hopefully kick start a meaningful regeneration of Rawtenstall town centre and give some support to the excellent independent businesses in and around Bank Street Far better use of public money than putting it all into a minority lesiure activity in Haslingden :-)[/p][/quote]I completely agree with your opening remark, and have little time for politics, but the previous administration laid the groundwork over a two year period for the purchase of the Valley Centre and do deserve some credit. Your comments can perfectly reasonably be applied to those in power prior to that though! Eye On The Valley

8:15am Mon 6 Feb 12

robbierocks says...

We have lived in Rossendale 10 years and the valley centre has always been a issue its about time good on the council
We have lived in Rossendale 10 years and the valley centre has always been a issue its about time good on the council robbierocks

10:04pm Tue 7 Feb 12

ianloveday says...

this is the best news i have heard in ages, it is money well spent, sod haslingden pool, if there so bothered about it in haslingden then they wouldnt mind travelling the few miles to marl pits
this is the best news i have heard in ages, it is money well spent, sod haslingden pool, if there so bothered about it in haslingden then they wouldnt mind travelling the few miles to marl pits ianloveday

1:04am Sun 12 Feb 12

hycoupe001 says...

As a relatively new resident of Rossendale I'm delighted by the news of the new Bus Station and the demolition of that great eyesore 'The Valley Centre'. I hope the council takes this opportunity to create something both unique and customer friendly that will set Rawtenstall apart from surrounding towns. Lack of high street names forces customers away from the town centre which obviously affects local businesses.Get it right and we will have a great town centre and a booming local economy.......
As a relatively new resident of Rossendale I'm delighted by the news of the new Bus Station and the demolition of that great eyesore 'The Valley Centre'. I hope the council takes this opportunity to create something both unique and customer friendly that will set Rawtenstall apart from surrounding towns. Lack of high street names forces customers away from the town centre which obviously affects local businesses.Get it right and we will have a great town centre and a booming local economy....... hycoupe001

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