Plans lodged for £70m Accrington Town Square transformation

Hyndburn Council’s Levelling Up project focuses on the redevelopment of three town centre heritage sites – the Victorian Market Hall, Market Chambers, and Burtons Chambers.

The authority has lodged three separate planning applications for its Accrington Town Square project.

Approval of these plans would see the town’s Market Chambers converted into a cultural venue, Burton Chambers repurposed to create a co-working space, and the Market Hall transformed into a food and drink venue.

Market Chambers

Application number: 11/23/0418

Situated across 43-59 Blackburn Road and 2-4 Church Street, Market Chambers is made up of three terraced buildings – Market Chambers, Bradshaw’s Building, and Woolworths Building.

Currently operating under a mix of uses including commercial and residential, the chambers would be completely refurbished under the AEW Architects-designed proposals to create a cultural, arts, and heritage venue.

Hyndburn Council held a consultation on the plans for the Market Chambers in June, the same month that the authority acquired the buildings through a compulsory purchase order.

Burton chambers

Application number: 11/23/0457

Accrington’s Burton Chambers is proposed to be repurposed to create a modern co-working space, featuring a dedicated events area.

Dating back to 1927, Burton Chambers sits at 61-79 Blackburn Road and is currently made up of vacant shops, offices, a restaurant, and cafes.

Work to convert the empty commercial units into offices is permitted without planning permission, however plans have been lodged for external refurbishment to the building’s façade to support the redevelopment.

This refurbishment would include the replacement of the existing shop fronts and the creation of a ground-floor entrance to the chambers.

Market Hall

The grade-two listed Victorian complex is set to be transformed into a food and drink venue under Hyndburn Council’s plans for Accrington town centre.

Plans for the Market Hall’s £11m renovation have not yet been validated.

However, plans to install 23 temporary market stalls for traders to operate from during construction will be deliberated at a planning committee meeting next Wednesday.

The submission of these applications follows the appointment earlier this month of Morgan Sindall to carry out the works.

Hyndburn Council has secured funding for the wider project through a successful £20m Levelling Up bid, along with additional matching contributions from Lancashire Council and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

READ: Levelling Up Fund: North West secures £355m

LDA Design is advising Hyndburn Council on the proposals. The project team also includes Civic Engineers, AECOM, and Donald Insall Associates.