Work to begin following Bacup’s funding success

Work on a High Street Heritage Action Zone in Bacup is to begin after £1.085m in grant funding was confirmed.

Rossendale Council applied to Historic England for funding to restore and repurpose 22 buildings including the former Regal Cinema.

Properties will be given a new lease of life and see their architectural features refurbished using traditional materials and techniques. Other buildings will be repurposed to better meet the needs of the local community. There is also a public realm element which includes interpretation and art work to add vibrancy to the town centre. In addition to this a Cultural Consortium is being established to develop and deliver a great range of cultural activities to establish and sustain a new offer on the high street.

Councillor Jackie Oakes, Portfolio Holder for Bacup 2040, said:

“I am thrilled that Bacup has secured Historic England funding to help breathe new life into a number of town centre buildings. We will look to restore the historical features and heritage that Bacup is widely known for. Town Centres are struggling across the country and have taken a further decline due to the current Covid 19 pandemic, the High Street Heritage Action Zone funding will not only preserve these buildings but will also repurposes much need and under used space to enable more community and cultural uses. The range of community engagement activities and training opportunities we have planned are innovative and will truly make this a project the whole community can get involved in.

“Thanks to the work of the council, working closely with the community and businesses, we are really starting to see a difference in Bacup. Of course, times are incredibly tough because of the on-going public health crisis but we are still working tirelessly bringing in funding and delivering projects which will benefit the whole borough.”

Councillor Alyson Barnes, leader of the Council, said:

“I am delighted we have secured more funding to continue improving Bacup. Things are really happening in the town. Bacup is well and truly on the up. We will continue to bring in the funding and investment to continue the journey the town is on. Our priority as a Council is the help all our town centres to thrive. Even though we face dark times at the moment, work is continuing to bring about lasting change to our borough.”

The High Street Heritage Action Zone is linked to the much larger Future High Streets Fund, which was announced in late August 2019. The Heritage Action Zone is specifically designated to restore historical high streets at risk. Bacup has a rich and diverse built heritage which is embedded in the recently produced emerging Bacup 2040 Vision developed and shaped by residents, businesses and local community groups. The overarching aim of the emerging Bacup 2040 Vision is to create a thriving and vibrant town centre with the tools to sustain itself

Note: Picture taken before social distancing measures started