Housing secretary Robert Jenrick calls for bigger investment focus on Burnley during visit

The Cabinet minister responsible for the Government's Levelling-Up Fund stopped by Burnley on Friday to take a look at the new Finsley Gate Wharf development.

The £2.2 million regeneration scheme is being undertaken by the Canals and Rivers Trust with funding from the Trust, Government, National Lottery, and others.

Once completed the once derelict site will become home to a range of community amenities, including a bar and restaurant, function room, overnight accommodation and education facilities.

Praising the work going in to developments like this across Burnley and Padiham the Government Minister also spoke with the MP about the Levelling Up Fund – a potential investment of up to £20 million which the borough has been prioritised for when bidding opens this summer.

The Secretary of State said: “The Levelling Up Fund is exactly designed for places like Burnley.

"Because we want to get more investment in to those parts of the country which have been undervalued and underinvested in for too long.

"The fund will enable Antony and the local council to put in a very strong bid for up to £20 million of investment to do more projects like this throughout Burnley.

"So that we can make sure Burnley and Padiham gets it fair share of investment; gets jobs; gets new things going and Antony can deliver on the promises he made to the electorate here in 2019 to truly level up the borough.”

Mr Higginbotham added: “This is our second visit from a Cabinet Minister this year and shows that we are now getting the focus we rightly deserve here in Burnley and Padiham.

"The Levelling-Up Fund offers the potential for significant investment here in the borough, providing a major boost to our economy and creating jobs in the process."

The new Finsley Gate Wharf is set to be open this summer.