Consultation into textile mill plans
Lancashire textile firm Albert Harley is holding an open day into plans to build a new manufacturing facility and food store at its Crownest Mill site in Barnoldswick.
The open day is due to take place on Tuesday 26 June from 11am until 8pm to canvas public opinion following the submission of a planning application last month by Albert Hartley and development partner Capital & Centric to Pendle Council for a new 37,674 sq ft factory for Albert Hartley on Skipton Road in Barnoldswick. The plans for the whole site include a 36,000 sq ft food store with 223 associated car parking spaces for shoppers and new public space linking to Victory Park next door.
Albert Hartley is one of the longest established textile manufacturers in the area and has been based in Barnoldswick for over 100 years and the redevelopment of the Crownest Mill site will safeguard over 100 jobs, create a further 30 positions through the development of new processes and apprenticeships at Albert Hartley, as well as creating 175 retail jobs through the food store.
A rival plan has been submitted by Tesco for a site opposite the Albert Hartley mill and is pending a planning decision. The local market would probably only suit one new food store.
Chris Soper, owner of Albert Hartley, said: "This is a real opportunity for the public to provide their views on the development and lend their support if they wish to see Albert Hartley remain in Barnoldswick.
"I'm hopeful that we will get the public interested in this redevelopment and be given the opportunity to explain what it really means to Albert Harley to gain approval to these plans.
"I'm aware that there are other proposals for a foodstore in the area so I hope that the public aren't too jaded with all the talk and that they will join us in supporting our work to keep these jobs here. Only one proposal is likely to gain approval and I hope, in the interests of maintaining a manufacturing presence on the site, that it's the Albert Harley and Capital & Centric proposal that is approved."
