VOLUNTEERS have been granted a new 25 year lease on their base to allow them to access more than £100,000 in grant funding.

Hyndburn Voluntary & Community Resource Centre Ltd’s current lease on the old St James school building in Cannon Street, Accrington, had been set to expire in September 2024.

But they asked Hyndburn Council to grant a new 25-year lease so they can satisfy conditions attached to a £165,708 grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

The new lease was approved at a Hyndburn Council cabinet meeting.

Council leader Cllr Miles Parkinson said: "It's pleasing that since the opening, this building has been used successfully in the heart of Accrington.

"Any town in the country would be proud of the buildings in that part of town.

"It's never been mothballed and it's great that it's well used."

Cllr Munsif Dad added: "I think the management of the resource centre has been fantastic and I have to give credit to them.

"This is an asset to the community as a whole."

The grant offer is also conditional on BLF approving a business plan which is currently being put together.

The lease will include a full repair and maintenance clause and the council expects that cash derived from the activities will be reinvested into the building for maintenance and repairs, including those identified in a recent condition survey of the building, and are not dependant the grant.

Helen McCue-Melling, the council’s regeneration and property manager, said: “ This lease will assist HVCRC to satisfy conditions of the grant offer from BLF by enabling BLF to be provided with a satisfactory certificate of title from their solicitor, together with a completed deed of dedication and evidence that a restriction on the title of the land and buildings has been registered in favour of BLF.

“HVCRC will be expected to deliver building works comprising new, modern and accessible facilities, including new kitchens and toilets, redecoration and replacement of internal doors throughout, in addition to an automated door entry system at the main entrance of the building.

“This work aims to increase the number of activities and services, and number of people attending them, who are elderly, disabled and indeed all members of the community, thus improving community cohesion, health and wellbeing and reducing social exclusion."