Hyndburn progresses Accrington overhaul 

The council wants to acquire Burton Chambers and Market Chambers to unlock a regeneration project that could “radically transform the town’s prospects”. 

The redevelopment of the buildings forms two-thirds of a plan to transform Accrington town centre, which is supported by £20m from the government’s Levelling Up Fund. 

Under Hyndburn Council’s proposals for the town centre, Burton Chambers would be converted into co-working space. Market Chambers, which is need of extensive repairs, would house a new cultural, arts, and heritage space. 

The council owns the freehold of Burton Chambers and is in negotiations with leaseholders about taking full control of the building in order to press ahead with the conversion. 

Meanwhile, a sale by agreement for Market Chambers is “not looking likely”, according to Hyndburn Council. 

In order to stay within timelines set out as part of the LUF award, the authority’s cabinet last week approved a decision to prepare compulsory purchase orders for the remaining interests needed  to facilitate the redevelopment of both buildings. 

The third element of the Accrington regeneration project is the Market Hall, which the council already owns. 

The building, located opposite Burton and Market Chambers, is to be transformed into a “high-end venue for eating, drinking and socialising”, according to the council. 

It is hoped the three-part project, known as Accrington Acre, will change the town centre’s fortunes and make it a more attractive place to visit. 

At present, almost 60% of Hyndburn residents rate Accrington’s food and drink offer as poor, according to a cabinet report.  

Meanwhile, economic inactivity is above the national average, and average wages fall 16% below those found in the rest of the North West. 

The council’s agreed town centre investment plan, which sets out potential interventions totalling around £70m, “will radically transform Accrington’s prospects for the future and improve the lives and opportunities of local residents,” according to the report.