UP to 20 traders could see their shopfronts or offices transformed as part of regeneration efforts for an East Lancashire market town.

Supporters of the Townscape Heritage Initiative for Padiham are preparing to roll up their sleeves to breathe new life into the area.

Essentially the historic core of the town, from St Leonard’s Church, down Burnley Road to Eccleshill Street, will benefit from the £1.4million Heritage Lottery Fund backed investment.

Another £2million has been allocated by the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership for the wider town centre area, which has suffered from both the devastating effects of the 2015 Boxing Day floods and rundown properties, on the higher end of Burnley Road.

This week the first seeds of change were planted after councillors gave town hall officers permission to enter into compulsory purchase negotiations for two unsightly properties, 33 and 35 Burnley Road.

One has been empty since 2002 and the other, which once traded as Padiham Spice Grill, has been vacant for 11-and-a-half years.

Each is expected to deteriorate, without immediate intervention by the authority, amid concerns their dilapidated state will undermine the efforts of the THI designation.

Susan Pickering, Burnley Council’s townscape heritage officer, said: “Padiham has a lovely market town feel with some stunning architecture.

“There are some great specialist shops in Padiham and this investment will support bringing the town’s buildings and heritage back into economic use, which will not only greatly enhance the town centre, but also build on the civic pride in the area, and attract new investment. It’s a very positive step towards Padiham’s future.

“Grant funding has been earmarked for up to 20 building projects within the THI boundary and property owners eligible for grant are being invited to submit applications.

“To date, seven expressions of interest forms have been received from owners, who are currently working with the council and a professional agent to progress schemes for their buildings.”

Several examples of the town’s latent potential have emerged in recent times, with The Lawrence enjoying a new lease of life as a boutique hotel, Picture House Gallery refurbishing part of the Burnley Road parade and The Starkie Arms benefitting from a significant overhaul, after being taken over by Bravo Inns.

The private sector has also made a success of reviving the fortunes of several buildings along Mill Street.

But two high street banks have departed from the same thoroughfare, leaving prominent buildings unused at major junctions, with the town’s last financial institution, Santander, following suit in 2017. Question marks also surround the future of the main post office branch.

Similar THI projects have helped to turn around the fortunes of other East Lancashire towns in recent years.

Darwen had £2million spent on the town centre there in 2011 and 2012 and was later held up as a standout example by English Heritage. Further back, Burnley's version of THI, focused on the Weavers' Triangle area, bringing £1.95million worth of improvements in 2005.

Several landmarks have been overhauled in Bacup, along St James Street, St James Square and Market Street, with a new roads and paving layout envisaged for the central roundabout area.

Work is also ongoing in Accrington, also as part of a THI scheme, which has seen a new town square fashioned and will regenerate prominent locations along Blackburn Road.