Published March 22, 2022 at 13:58
The first phase of town centre building regeneration and repairs are nearing completion as part of Bacup’s High Street Heritage Action Zone. Scaffolding is now coming down to reveal the works undertaken and allow access for the final pieces of work to be completed.
Rossendale Rossendale Borough Council received £1.18 million of Historic England funding for the High Street Heritage Action Zone project, to repurpose and regenerate buildings, provide a public realm enhancement scheme, for community engagement and a cultural programme. Works to the eight buildings within the first phase of the building improvement scheme are scheduled to conclude at the beginning of April.
The scheme is providing vital restoration and much needed repair works to enhance the properties’ exterior and protect town centre buildings. Works have included replacement and repairs to shopfronts, windows, roofs, gutters, stonework and signage, making buildings weathertight and repairing damage
. 
The first eight buildings in the scheme include cornerstone buildings in the town centre; Trinity Baptist Church, the ABD Centre and the formerly derelict Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank, which is being brought back in to use by Valley Heritage. Other buildings in the scheme have included 11, 16, 23 and 27 Market Street and 18-20 Yorkshire Street. A further ten buildings are scheduled for the next phase of the scheme in 2022/23.
Cllr Barbara Ashworth, councillor for Greensclough ward and chair of the Bacup High Street Heritage Action Zone Project Board said: “It has been brilliant to see the enhancements made so far to the buildings on our local high street and to see grant funding invested in to Bacup’s buildings and community centres. I look forward to the next round of improvements.”
Pierre Grace, a property owner participating in the scheme said: “The High Street Heritage Action Zone has supported me in undertaking much needed repair and development work to my property, protecting and enhancing its unique features. I am delighted that this sort of initiative is helping to retain the charm of the town’s architecture and so encouraging more businesses to invest.”
County Cllr Jackie Oakes said: “The restoration works have made a real difference and it is great that the funding has assisted Valley Heritage in bringing a derelict building back in to use on our high street.”
Peter Barlow from Historic England added: “We are delighted with the restoration work that has been carried out so far. The quality of design and craftmanship employed to restore these eight buildings are very impressive and this work is already helping to improve Bacup’s historic town centre for both local people and visitors.”
About High Streets Heritage Action Zones:
The High Streets Heritage Action Zones is a £95 million government-funded programme led by Historic England, designed to secure lasting improvements and help breathe new life into our historic high streets for the communities and businesses that use them. Historic England is working with local people and partners to unlock the rich heritage on these high streets, through repair and improvement works as well as arts and cultural programmes, making them more attractive to residents, businesses, tourists and investors. https://historicengland.org.uk/services-skills/heritage-action-zones/regenerating-historic-high-streets/
About Historic England:
Historic England the public body that helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate England’s spectacular historic environment, from beaches and battlefields to parks and pie shops. We protect, champion and save the places that define who we are and where we’ve come from as a nation. We care passionately about the stories these places tell, the ideas they represent and the people who live, work and play among them. Working with communities and specialists we share our passion, knowledge and skills to inspire interest, care and conservation, so everyone can keep enjoying and looking after the history that surrounds us all.
Filed under : Bacup HAZ | town centres