People highlight their priorities for town centre regeneration
MORE than 1,000 people in a council survey have identified three priority locations for regeneration of the town centre.
Accrington’s Town Centre Investment Plan (TCIP) was released in January 2022 after months of collaborative work between council officers, expert consultants, and community representatives.
Shortly after the TCIP was released people were invited to have their say and complete an informal online survey about the plans. More than 1,000 people took part, with most people being Accrington residents. Hundreds also left additional comments on the survey form.
Results from the consultation highlighted people would like Accrington Market Hall, The Victorian Arcade and the Arndale Centre prioritised as locations for investment or transformation. Heritage and environment are also key priorities, and important themes include retail, shopping, food and entertainment facilities.
Council leader Coun Miles Parkinson said the results of a formal opinion poll conducted in August 2021, research and expert
advice from consultants, plus steering from partnership board representatives is what formed the 10-15 year plan.
He added: “After being presented to elected members in full council, then to cabinet for approval, residents were invited to have a second say and let us know which parts of the TCIP Hyndburn council should prioritise for incoming investment or funding opportunities.”
The council will now work to secure funding and investment for the projects listed in the TCIP, including the Government’s Levelling Up Fund and other income streams to be explored such as Heritage Lottery Funding.
They say project ideas will be selected over the coming years and be put forward for various opportunities that align the best, giving the highest chance of funding success.
Coun Parkinson added: “As our Market Hall is a council-owned and managed facility we are in a fantastic position to take this project idea forward imminently, and have already been working closely with architects to create proposed visions and ideas of what the wonderful venue could become.
“Our TCIP document means we are ready to bid into the Government’s Levelling Up fund and our Market Hall is an ideal fit for this funding stream. When this bid opportunity
opens, we intend to submit a proposal and I am feeling very confident in our future success.
“Hyndburn council officers have also been discussing options and opportunities with owners of both the Victorian Arcade and the Arndale Centre and aim to work collaboratively with both to ensure future plans meet the vision for the town centre.”
Coun Marlene
Haworth, Conservative group leader, said: “It was fantastic to see that heritage is high on the list of priorities for investment in Accrington, as this is a key driving force of the TCIP. I also feel very strongly about the future of our wonderful Victorian Market Hall being
prioritised and it was great to learn that the people of our borough agree.”
Hyndburn MP Sara Britcliffe said: “I would like to thank all those who have been involved in creating this vision for the future of Accrington and when the time comes for Hyndburn to submit projects into the Government’s Levelling Up fund, Hyndburn has my full support. I share the views of residents that shopping, retail, food and entertainment is what Accrington needs, whilst supporting and elevating the fantastic independent businesses we already have.”
The full consultation report can be found online at www. hyndburnbc.gov.uk/tcip