Investment in Padiham's heritage a step further

Grants totalling almost £100,000 have been awarded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) to three properties in the main street towards repair and restoration works as part of the Padiham Townscape Heritage scheme.

Works have now commenced on 19 and 21 Burnley Road (Barber Bros and Blackwell’s Blinds) and 5-9 Central Buildings (Bertwistle’s Bakery). The work will incorporate heritage features including traditional shopfronts, timber windows and doors, along with repair works to stone and rainwater features.

Coun. Gordon Birtwistle, Burnley Council’s executive member for economy and growth, said: “This is another piece of good news about investment in improving Padiham. It has a lovely historic town feel with some stunning architecture and this work will build on that.

There are some great specialist shops in Padiham and we are delighted to support property owners with this funding, which will not only enhance these properties, but also the wider town centre conservation area. It’s a very positive step towards Padiham’s brighter future”.

The Padiham Townscape Heritage investment aims to tackle vacant and neglected buildings through sympathetic building works, along with environmental improvements and wider activities, to make Padiham a more vibrant and attractive place to live, work and visit.

To date, the council has received nine expressions of interest for grant funding. There are several requirements to fulfil as part of the application process before grant funding is awarded and works can start.

The development of building schemes can take some time to ensure all statutory consents are in place and that proposals promote good practice in conservation, but several schemes are making good progress.

The council has also completed the acquisition of two long-term vacant properties within the Townscape Heritage area, 33-35 Burnley Road. The pair of properties have been vacant for many years and have fallen into a poor state of repair, causing blight to the area.

Through the unique opportunity provided by the NLHF, the council has been able to acquire all interests in the properties and is planning to repair and restore them and bring them back into use.

The works will promote good practice in conservation through sensitive external repair and restoration to include the reinstatement of heritage doors, windows, and traditional shopfronts, along with significant repair works. The scheme will divide the properties back to their original proportions to create two ground floor retail units and two flats above.