Penbrook starts on £22m Pendle Rise revamp
Main contractor Howard Stott Demolition has commenced the soft strip out of the 106,000 sq ft shopping centre in Nelson, gearing up for a mid-April start for the main demolition work.
Penbrook Developments, a joint venture between Pendle Council and developer Brookhouse, is leading on the project, which will see a 55,000 sq ft retail complex constructed on the site.
The revamp of Pendle Rise was the centrepiece of the council’s successful £25m Town Deal bid, with £9m committed from the government to the scheme. Brookhouse has provided the additional £12.5m for the £21.5m project.
Penbrook is targeting a June completion for the demolition, with the overall project to finish in early summer 2027.
“The demolition of Pendle Rise will bring us a step closer to seeing the transformation of Nelson’s town centre, which will attract investment, create jobs and provide our residents and visitors with a place to enjoy spending time in,” said Cllr Asjad Mahmood, deputy leader of Pendle Council.
“It’s exciting to see that our vision is now becoming a reality.”
The new, smaller retail destination will be anchored by a 21,000 sq ft food store. There will be nine other units ranging from 1,000 sq ft to 10,000 sq ft that will host retail or food and beverage operators.
Penbrook’s plans for the space also includes more than 150 spaces for cars to park.
Pendle Council acquired Pendle Rise Shopping Centre in 2024 for £4m, having initially started purchasing conversations in 2022.
In 2023, Penbrook secured planning permission for the project with the aid of consultant Pegasus. Urban Edge Architecture developed the designs, which retain the mosaic compass and Nelson bust from the shopping centre.
You can learn more about the project by searching reference number 23/0268/FUL on Pendle Council’s planning portal. In addition to Pegasus and Urban Edge Architecture, the project team includes ecologist Envance, highways consultant Mode, flood and drainage expert Weetwood, ground conditions specialist BEK, noise consultant Arcadis, and project manager Raise Partnership.
