Historic Clitheroe town centre shop to receive new lease of life

The former Salvation Army shop and worship centre on the corner of Lowergate and King Lane is set to be transformed into three one-bedroom flats by Branleigh Holdings.

Work is underway on converting the flats, which will be available for rent at local housing allowance rates over the coming months to people on Ribble Valley Borough Council’s affordable housing register.

And the council is offering further landlord-tenant grants of up to 50 per cent of the cost of converting or renovating houses to a maximum of £20,000.

On completion, the properties must meet the government's decent homes standard and be let for a minimum of five years, during which the council will set an affordable rent and have nomination rights.

“We are committed to delivering affordable housing across the borough, including for young and single people,” Mark Hindle, chairman of Ribble Valley Borough Council’s health and housing committee, said.

“Our landlord-tenant grant aims to assist with this delivery by encouraging landlords to enter the rented accommodation sector. The Salvation Army properties will be renovated to a high standard and provide much-needed affordable accommodation for single people or couples.

“Further grants are available, and we are keen to hear from prospective landlords with properties suitable for conversion without delay,” Hindle added.

Brogan Atkinson, director of Branleigh Holdings, added: “The grant has helped us renovate these properties, and we are looking forward to making them available over the coming months in an area where affordable accommodation is extremely rare.

“The grant process was really straightforward, and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to prospective landlords. I would like to thank council staff and our architect Peter Hitchen for their fantastic work.,” Atkinson finished.