£100,000 being set aside to fund town square events

ORGANISATIONS are being invited to bid for Accrington town square events funding.

Hyndburn council has set aside £100,000 for events on the new £2m public square outside the Town Hall and Market Hall.

A selection panel has been set up to consider funding bids - comprising the council’s new business and marketing co-ordinator Victoria Ingham, head of regeneration Mark Hoyle, town centre cabinet member Coun Clare Cleary and a ‘non-council’ representative from the town team.

An extra £46,000 has also been set aside from Heritage Lottery Funding for ‘three key events’ to mark the centenary of end of the First World War and the launch of the new town square.

Speaking at a recent council scrutiny meeting, Coun Gareth Molineux, cabinet member for resources, said: “Local organisations will be advised to bid before the end of March for a share of the council funding. There will be a clear audit trail which will be subject to the council’s internal audit procedures. However, some aspects may be subject to commercial sensitivity and these details will remain confidential.”

Draft criteria have been drawn up to assess funding applications. These are: Effect on visitor numbers to Accrington town centre, engagement with people who live in and around Hyndburn, creating events that appeal to all groups and abilities, value for money, and demonstrating compliance with the council’s events guidance including health and safety and food hygiene.

Last month more than 50 residents and business owners attended an open meeting to discuss ideas for future events.

Attendees broke into workshops before presenting their ideas and discussing their merits at the meeting, hosted by Victoria Ingham.