The demolition of Nelson's Pendle Rise shopping centre may commence earlier next year than first anticipated. The original plan was for work to begin in October 2025, once Pendle Council had full control over the entire site and all shop traders had been relocated.
However, progress has been made in several areas, including supporting traders through the current Christmas period, dealing with vermin, and planning for telecoms masts, the Nelson Town Deal Board has been told. The board was set up to oversee the £25million Nelson Town Deal, agreed under a previous Conservative government.
Town boards across the 海角视频 typically comprise a small number of publicly-elected councillors, a local MP - in this case Labour's Jonathan Hinder - and non-elected individuals from private businesses, developers, community, health and police representatives. Neil Rockett, shop director of Pendle Nutrition at Pendle Rise, represents retailers.
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The board's latest meeting included updates on Pendle Rise and town deal budgets, as well as other plans to revitalise Nelson, including work by Lancashire County Council. Richard Savory from Raise Partnership is collaborating with Pendle Council and provided various updates on Nelson town centre, reports .
He said: "Since purchasing Pendle Rise, Pendle Council with the management operator, Beddows Ltd, have repaired key operating systems and dealt with a vermin infestation. The centre continues operating relatively smoothly. There are some issues still, such as the absence of operational heating around the main areas, which is a problem at this time of year. But we are running a safe and compliant centre."
"The project team has ramped-up marketing and communications to support the existing retailers and show local people that Pendle Rise is still open for business. This has included town centre banners, posters and signs, visual impressions of the proposed new development, newspaper and radio advertisements, newsletters, social media and a short video.
"The council leader, Coun Asjad Mahmood, has continued visits to meet traders and images of the visits have been used to raise awareness."
"These actions cannot turn back the clock to the heydays of Pendle Rise. But this is a strenuous effort to support current traders through this change and through the key Christmas period.
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"In addition, ongoing meetings have taken place between tenants and Pendle Council's estate team about future options and their rights under the compulsory purchase order process".
Mr Savory outlined that a 'soft strip-out' of some vacant shops has already been carried out. He indicated that once the festive period concludes, efforts will pivot towards moving the remaining traders to alternative premises within Nelson town centre.
Concurrently, a 'hard strip-out' will be initiated, encompassing the removal of asbestos, even while the centre remains operational. Progress on the Pendle Rise project also includes ongoing negotiations with telecom companies for the relocation of masts.
When discussing the financial aspects of various Nelson initiatives, Mr Savory said: "There are no massive changes to the budget. As we get into a more detailed discussion about demolition, we will get more clarity. But we have a reasonable contingency budget, if needed."
Planning is also in progress, aiming to align Pendle Rise developments with Lancashire County Council's envisaged enhancements to Nelson. Although the two endeavours have distinct funding streams and timelines, there is hope their deadlines can coincide.
Stephen Barnes, Chair of the Nelson Town Deal Board, asked: "Regarding masts and utilities, can we pin the telecom companies down to dates? Regarding utilities, we all have scars on our backs from dealing with utilities and we know there are utilities around Pendle Rise."
Mike Nuttall from the property development company Brookhouse Group, who is collaborating with Pendle Council on the Pendle Rise initiative as part of the Penbrook joint venture, said: "This is a key constraint. Utilities are the 'uncontrollable' elements in this. However, we are optimistic about utilities and have good things in place. With telecom masts, one firm has got approval and two others are being encouraged to act. The compulsory purchase order is coming and all the firms are now engaging. Previously, one was not."
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