‘Wonderful designs – but don’t leave rest behind’

KARL Mather, who runs the Mather Gallery, said the designs look ‘wonderful’ but he has concerns about the rest of the town being left behind.

He said: “The plans generally look good, but I feel quite passionately that a new precinct needs to be part of the overall development of Rawten- stall, rather than something done in isolation.

“Spinning Point shouldn’t replace the need to develop Rawtenstall, instead it should be used as an excuse, a conduit to develop the rest of the town.

“Bacup Road and Bury Road have been largely and increasingly derelict since the construction of the previous town centre, something that needs to be reversed dramatically and done during or even before the bus station and Spinning Point construction.”

Emma Farrow, director of Farrow and Farrow, said: “A building such as this should be built for longevity, as an iconic landmark structure and as a beacon demonstrating the pride of Rossendale.

“It simply should not be a disposable, bland, featureless replication of other unremarkable edifices that have tarnished the townscape of both nearby neighbours or indeed, our very own previous centre.”

Jan Shutt, CEO Of Sun- day Best, said she feels that a more considered decision about the final plans should be made once the first phase of building has been completed.

She said: “I think the plan is lacking in detail, we need to support independent businesses and I don’t want to see another precinct.”