Go-ahead for arcade regeneration study

ROSSENDALE councillors have agreed for a construction firm to investigate if a former shopping arcade and nightclub can be regenerated, as part of a new government-backed £20million regeneration project.

- BY ROBBIE MACDONALD

Barnfield Investment Properties will be asked by Rossendale Council to look at the former Heritage Arcade and neighbouring buildings on Bacup Road, Rawtenstall. The building, also a cinema in the past, has been empty for around 25 years. The former arcade is currently for sale for £1.2million but councillors hope the price can be lowered, if redevelopment is viable.

It and the night club are owned by Hurstwood Holdings while the former Domus shop unit, at 17-19 Bacup Road, is registered to a local business person, according to council reports.

Rossendale Council's cabinet has approved recommendations from officers that the borough lead a project to redevelop the former arcade and surrounding buildings, as part of the new Plan for Neighbourhoods using government money phased over ten years.

The programme was launched over the winter by the former Conservative government and called the Long Term Plan for Towns. But the new Labour government has widened the remit and renamed it the Plan for Neighbourhoods. Now, in addition to property work, community, leisure, education and police activities are expected too.

Regarding the old arcade, the cabinet agreed to enter an agreement with Barnfield Investment Properties to develop a feasibility assessment for the site. This is part of the Rossendale Together Barnfield joint venture partnership including Together Housing.