A BID for more than £1million has been submitted to try to capitalise on the ‘growing buzz’ in a town centre.

Rossendale Council wants to further boost culture, trade and the visual appeal of Bacup and councillors have agreed to submit a bid for £1.1 million from Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone fund.

It follows the success of the £2million Bacup THI scheme (Townscape Heritage Initiative).

It also comes after an unsuccessful bid for a share of the Future High Streets fund which could have seen Bacup awarded £150,000.

Portfolio holder for regeneration and economic development, Cllr Jackie Oakes, said: “Bacup has seen six new businesses establish themselves in the town centre, either as a direct result of the THI or due to the on-going restoration works there, and so the time is right to build on that success.”

If awarded, the money would be spent on revamping buildings, making public realm enhancements and establishing a core cultural experience in the town centre.

It will focus mainly on areas that did not benefit from the THI project which includes the Regal Bingo Hall in the town.

It also will improve the frontages of 30 buildings and find alternative modern uses.

Cllr Oakes added: “We are very excited about the opportunities that the Heritage Action Zone could bring to Bacup and the positive social and economic impact it could have.”

A decision is expected to be made on the bid around autumn.

Historic England has made £44million available via its High Street Heritage Action Zone initiative – a four-year programme of physical improvements, community engagement and cultural activities to regenerate historic high streets and town centres around the country.

The fund is likely to be oversubscribed and only the best bids nationally will be successful.