£1.5 million bid for Brierfield
“Brierfield could benefit from £1.5m if Pendle Council’s bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund succeeds,” announced Council Leader, Mohammed Iqbal.
“We sent the bid off on 1st September and will hear if we get through the vital first stage in January,” explained Councillor Iqbal, who leads on economic development for Pendle.
The five year Brierfield Townscape Revival Plan has been developed in consultation with local residents, businesses and Brierfield Town Council in a bid to improve the historic town centre.
Councillor Iqbal said: “Brierfield has some stunning architecture including Victorian and Edwardian buildings along the main road.
“This bid includes bringing historic buildings back to their former glory and building on the civic pride there is in the town.”
Senior Regeneration Officer Julie Palmer who has helped to work up the bid said:
“Our bid also focuses on getting empty buildings and shops back into use to inject new confidence in the town."
If successful, the project will include:
• grants to property owners to help restore their building exteriors to their original heritage character
• shop front restoration and the creation of traditional shop fronts
• high quality improvements to the main street including new street furniture, lights and public art
• improved pedestrian connections between the town and Northlight mill for local residents and visitors
• a conservation and heritage skills programme for local contractors, crafts people and apprentices.
“If successful at the first stage, we’ll be working hard on a more detailed bid for the Heritage Lottery Fund to approve,” Julie added.
This Revival Project supports Pendle Council’s investment in a new destination for the North West called Northlight at Brierfield Mill through its joint venture company with Barnfield Construction, called PEARL.
Brierfield Councillor Naeem Ashraf added: “If we jump through all the hoops successfully we’ll be putting this important five year plan for Brierfield into action in 2018.”