Shopfront grant is welcome boost as new Padiham town centre business prepares to open

The money, from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, will help to transform the empty shop in the town centre.

It is a part of the Padiham Townscape Heritage scheme to invest in Burnley Road and helps towards the cost of repair and restoration to shop frontages.

Work has begun and will include the repair of defective timber, replacement of broken glazing panels and redecoration of the shopfronts, including hand painted signage.

The applicant, Butcher and Sons Ltd, is also undertaking comprehensive internal refurbishment to the shop unit and plans to open an American style diner/restaurant called The Block.

The same company opened neighbouring property A Chip off the Old Block earlier this year and hopes this new enterprise will be equally successfully.

A spokesman for the company said: "We are extremely grateful for all the help we have received from the council.

"We would also like to thank the people of Padiham and the surrounding areas who have supported us at A Chip off the Old Block and hope they continue to do so.

"We also hope they come out in their droves once again and support us in our new and exciting venture,

"We think The Block, which will be serving burgers and steaks, will bring a vibrant and enthusiastic ambiance to Padiham town centre.

"Finally we would also like to thank all our staff, current and future, as without them we wouldn't be able to offer the first class service we currently provide and hope to continue to do so for a long and prosperous future."

Coun. Asif Raja, the council’s executive member for economy and growth, said: “We are delighted to support this scheme through Townscape Heritage investment and also welcome another new business to Padiham.

"A high-quality repair and redecoration scheme to the frontages will have a notable impact on the street scape and help bring this vacant property back into use.”

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.

More information about the Townscape Heritage scheme and Padiham town centre is available at www.padiham.org.uk