"With
some of you being based on the edge of the urban areas of the Borough
I am mindful that you may not have had the opportunity to visit
Accrington town centre as often as you would like. The
Council consider Accrington Town Centre to be very important for
Hyndburn’s overall economic growth.
However,
these are very challenging times for the high street as shopping
patterns and habits change. The traditional high street is exploring
other ways of increasing footfall and Accrington Town Centre is no
different.
The
need to diversify and modernise the economic base of Accrington town
centre is a priority, whilst at the same time, creating a distinctive
centre that differs from our near neighbours of Blackburn and
Burnley.
Led
by Accrington’s Town Team, we are currently developing a new vision
for Accrington Town Centre. The Centre has some fantastic historic
buildings, a great heritage, a vibrant market, some great independent
shops and is developing a reputation for community events attracting
people from across Pennine Lancashire. It is this unique character
and strong sense of local pride that the vision aims to capture.
We
are aiming to make Accrington Town Centre an interesting place to
visit including a growing section of independent shops, a high
quality market, good community and educational facilities, a quality
residential offer and well connected public transport all supported
by a programme of locally run events. All of this will contribute to
a growing town centre economy. If we get these things right,
Accrington will retain people in the town centre and attract new
people in.
We
have a programme of significant public sector investment which aims
to stimulate the town centre’s economy including the refurbishment
of Accrington’s historic market hall, a new and modern bus station
and currently underway, a new town square in front of the Town Hall
and Market Hall which will help to transform this key location in the
town centre.
Over
coming months you will see the installation of new street furniture
and sculptures that have been designed to celebrate the Borough’s
history and commemorate the Accrington Pals. We are also erecting an
architectural lighting system to illuminate the Town Hall and Market
Hall at night time, and provide a backdrop for events and special
occasions in the square. The project is going well and remains on
target for completion by July 2018 in time for events marking the
centenary of the First World War.
In
2018/19 the Council will be making available £100,000 to support a
regular programme of town centre events in partnership with some of
the key town centre stakeholders. We are hoping that some of the
town centre stakeholders will match this investment in the
co-ordination of events that residents can enjoy and which will bring
more visitors into the Town.
My
door is always open to anyone who would like to discuss new ideas and
opportunities for Accrington town centre."
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