Refurbishment of iconic Clitheroe bandstand set to get underway
The latest phase of development is set to begin.
Work is set to get underway on the refurbishment of Clitheroe Castle’s iconic bandstand.
The project is a part of a £2.3million investment in Clitheroe Castle by the site’s owners, Ribble Valley Borough Council. The latest phase of the project will see the bandstand repainted, its stage resurfaced, new lighting installed and its tiered steps repaved, while railings, benches and pathways throughout the castle grounds will be replaced and resurfaced.
Phase One has seen the castle’s 800-year-old keep shrouded in scaffolding and covers for much of the year, while specialist contractors fix crumbling stonework, fit new flashing to prevent water damage and thin surrounding overgrown foliage.
The keep will also be repointed externally over the coming months, ensuring its preservation for generations to come.
Work on the keep and bandstand is part of an extensive programme of improvements to the grounds of Clitheroe Castle, which also includes revamps of the multi-use games area and skatepark, and installation of an outdoor gym on the former tennis courts.
Stuart Hirst, chairman of Ribble Valley Borough Council’s community services committee, said: “Clitheroe Castle has been the centrepiece of the town for centuries and this work will ensure it remains so for generations to come.
“The bandstand is a much-loved structure in the castle grounds and has hosted many concerts over the years, and we are delighted to be behind its refurbishment.”
Clitheroe Castle’s Grade I-listed keep dates back to the 12th Century and was originally the centre of a vast estate owned by the De Lacy family.
The castle and grounds remained in private ownership until 1920, when it was bought with money raised by public subscription to create a memorial to 260 soldiers from the town who died in the First World War.
The bandstand has hosted numerous concerts and carol services over the years, including the popular Last Night of the Proms featuring the Clitheroe Town Band every summer. The council is determined to ensure that the bandstand is refurbished in time for this year’s Last Night of the Proms on August 22, 2026.