Student homes plan for ex Circulation Club site

Computer generated image of what the exterior of what the new Pentridge Mill will look like

An iconic former nightclub and cinema is set to become a new home for Burnley’s burgeoning student population.

Pentridge Mill, which was better known as the Circulation Club, is being transformed into a modern student accommodation block, complete with 95 bedrooms and two common rooms.

London-based developer Domicilium Ltd is carrying out the development, which includes demolishing most of the original cotton mill in Holmes Street and Oxford Road, which was built in the 1860s.

The developers hope the new building, which will be known as Stuart House, will be open by September to cater for the new intake of Higher Education students at various institutions in Burnley.

Computer generated image of a common room at Pentridge Mill

The en-suite scheme is being developed in response to the expansion of student populations at the University of Central Lancashire in Princess Way and the UCFB College of Football Business at Turf Moor.

The development, over five floors will, according to Domicilium, breathe new life into Burnley Wood.

Domicilium director Liam Ward said: “The re-use of this site will benefit the entire community and bring back into use a much-loved building.

“We were attracted not only by the site which we saw as a potential ‘buffer’ between its industrial neighbours and nearby residential streets but also Burnley as a location.

Computer generated image of a bedroom at Pentridge Mill

“We investigated a number of university towns and found Burnley’s approach refreshing and encouraging.”

Work so far has been undertaken by Birkenhead-based Powell Demolition ahead of the arrival of main contractor, Marbark Builders.

The bedroom units, all en-suite and featuring micro-kitchens and dining spaces, are being constructed off-site by Empire Timber Frame.

Apart from the energy-efficient building method, the scheme will feature a rooftop solar array that will mean that the building will effectively be “carbon neutral”.

Rents at the development will start at £85 per week with rentals being managed by Rent on Time in conjunction with Urban Sales and Lettings.

Stuart House has been re-named in memory of Stuart Hare, a financial adviser and founder member of the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers who secured the funding to acquire the site, but died tragically aged 52 last year.

Stuart’s daughter, Lindsey, will open the completed building ahead of the 2015-16 university term.

• Video of the Circulation Club undergoing demolition