Pendle to buy 106,000 sq ft Nelson shopping centre 

The local authority is to acquire Pendle Rise from Future Properties to facilitate the regeneration of the town centre. 

Pendle Council has signed off on the use of compulsory purchase powers to buy the 106,000 sq ft Nelson asset. 

Once the purchase is complete, the council plans to dispose of Pendle Rise to PenBrook, its joint venture with developer Brookhouse, with a view to demolishing the 1960s shopping centre and redeveloping the site. 

Plans could feature “an energy-efficient new building, car parking facilities with electric vehicle charging points and a strong retail offer together with appealing food and drinks options to incorporate outside dining space in order to promote social interaction and add to the vitality of the town centre,” according to a council report. 

The redevelopment of the site is anticipated to act as a catalyst for “widespread social, economic and environmental benefits”, the report said. 

The scheme will be paid for in part by a £9.2m chunk of Nelson’s £25m Town Deal award. There is a requirement that all projects under the Nelson Town Deal are completed by the end of March 2026. 

“We’ve been trying to buy the shopping centre through negotiations with the current owner for a while, but so far this has not proved possible,” explained Cllr Nadeem Ahmed, leader of Pendle Council.

“Pressing ahead with a compulsory purchase order is necessary so that we can own and redevelop the site. This will take some time because our proposal will need to go to the Secretary of State for approval and any interested party can make a representation ahead of a decision being made.”