Published August 23, 2021 at 9:26
Valley Heritage have handed keys over to Rosslee Construction, in another major milestone in the Alliance @ Lancashire & Yorkshire Bank project.
Valley Heritage Trustee, Rachael Gildert, met contractors on site at the Bank for the official, practical, and symbolic handing over of the keys to the building. Rosslee are now able to access the building to commence initial works on site, making the building safe and secure for their staff before undertaking more complex work.
Rachael said:“We are so excited to have made it to this point – handing over keys for the former bank to Rosslee. We can’t wait to watch the building transform ready for the next phase of its life and see it revitalised once more. We look forward to the day when the building can once again welcome the community and be a proud focal point in Bacup Town Centre”
Construction work will officially start on 23rd August. The first major phase of works will focus on the external fabric repairs, making sure the building is free of vegetation, water and weathertight. This phase of works has been made possible with funding support from Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone scheme, and Rossendale Borough Council. Interior works are due to commence upon completion of phase 1.
Historic England’s Peter Barlow said: “These works will restore a much-loved local landmark, enabling a long-term, sustainable future as an important part of Bacup’s historic high street.”
Commenting on the project landmark, Gary Clarkson, Managing Director of Rosslee Construction said:“Rosslee are delighted to be working on this historically and communally important building in the heart of Bacup and we look forward to working with Valley Heritage.”
The completed project, to be called Alliance, is expected to re-open in early 2022.
Read more about the whole project proposal here: https://valleyheritage.org.uk/valley-heritage-secures-national-lottery-heritage-fund-support/
The purchase of the building was made possible by a loan provided by the Architectural Heritage Fund, through the Heritage Impact Fund. Its conversion, and the upcoming programme of community activities, has been made possible by support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Architectural Heritage Fund’s Transformational Project Grants, the Dulverton Trust, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Beatrice Laing Trust, the Fort Foundation, the Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund, the Ian Askew Charitable Trust, Historic England and the Bacup High Street Heritage Action Zone.