HBC: Town Centre History Exhibition - 18th-26th September 2015

Capturing history, memories and change is at the heart of an exhibition opening in the Market Hall on Friday 18th September. Members of Accrington’s camera club have been out and about the last few weeks taking photographs to record the town centre today. They have even been up onto the roof of the Town Hall ‘Looking Down’ onto the town centre and comparing views of today with those of the 1930’s.

Images and ink prints created by local people by ‘Looking up’ at unseen and forgotten architectural features will also be on display. Visitors will have the opportunity to give their ideas for the design and use of a new town square which will be bus-free and at the heart of the town’s revitalised heritage.

As the new bus station continues to emerge and progress towards completion in May 2016 Lancashire County Council are currently developing the proposals for the revised parking and traffic flows. Visitors to the exhibition will be able to see a preview of the proposals ahead of the formal consultation by the County Council later this year.

The exhibition will be available for viewing at the Market Hall during daily opening times from Friday 18th to Saturday 26th September.

Officers will be on hand for questions and discussions on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th between 10am – 3pm and from Monday 21st to Friday 25th between 10 – 12 noon.

Hyndburn Council were successful in securing a grant of £1.5M from the Heritage Lottery Fund towards the delivery of a Townscape Heritage scheme within Accrington Town Centre Conservation Area. The grant is available to fund historic conservation and restoration works focussing around the new town square and buildings in the immediate vicinity.

Cabinet Member for Town Centre’s Councillor Clare Cleary said; “Accrington is a town with a strong and proud heritage and its fine legacy of mid to late 19th and 20th century buildings are key to its distinct identity. This project offers an exciting opportunity to find out more about the town’s built heritage, create a new space for activities and to remember the sacrifice of the Accrington Pals in a way that future generations can identify with. I urge people to get involved and take this exciting opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas.”