Pendle Rise News

Newsletter for Pendle Rise retailers Autumn 2024

Working together for a brighter future for Nelson

Pendle Rise Shopping Centre was acquired by Pendle Borough Council on 20 June 2024 using Nelson Town Deal funding from the Government.

This investment is from a £25 million pot for seven projects to bring long term improvements to the area.

The Nelson Town Deal is focused on regeneration, creating a better quality of life, improved skills, support for business, enterprise and better connectivity.

Pendle Rise is the key part of the Revitalising Nelson part of the Town Deal which is designed to transform the town centre.

High profile, long-term vacant and under-used buildings will be brought back into use to create real positive change in the town. 

The agreement in September to make a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for Pendle Rise is a significant milestone towards this.

The CPO, if granted, will enable Pendle Borough Council to acquire any remaining interests in the Pendle Rise Shopping Centre site and land.  It also provides protection for tenants to ensure any compensation does not fall below statutory minimum levels.

£10 million plans for the Pendle Rise site include:

• A new supermarket   
• Nine modern retail units
• Around 150 free parking spaces including 14 electric vehicle charging points
• Places to eat - it will be a great place to meet!

Support for Pendle Rise retailers

Thank you for your support over the last few weeks, we know this is an unsettling time for you. From our side we are:

• Making sure Pendle Rise is clean and in a fit state to be open for business for both retailers and customers
• Promoting Pendle Rise to boost trade, making it clear the centre is still open for business
• Listening to retailers' concerns - finding out how you'd like things to be sorted out for your business
• Supporting Pendle Rise retailers to find alternative shop units - our aim is for all retailers who want to stay in Nelson to continue to trade in the town centre wherever possible
• Buying vacant premises, including the old Althams shop and 5 - 7 Scotland Road, for Pendle Rise businesses to move into
• Helping with relocation expenses to alternative premises in the town - Pendle Borough Council aims to support this through the Compulsory Purchase Order process
• Compensating retailers who might meet the criteria set out in legislation to potentially close their business in Nelson. The exact amount will depend on individual circumstances, such as the status of the current lease, previous trading performance and trading accounts.

Councillor Asjad Mahmood, Leader of Pendle Borough Council said “I’ve lived in Nelson for most of my life and have been coming into the shopping centre and indoor market since I was a child, so I have known many of the businesses for a long time.

“It is so important that Pendle Rise retailers are part of our ambitious plans to make Nelson a place with a brighter future.” 

Timescale

• 19 September Pendle Borough Council agreed to start the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) process at its Executive meeting.
  • The CPO gives legal rights to retailers and means that traders can be supported financially.  This may be through helping the move into new premises in the town or as compensation for those businesses which want to, and/or are able to, close.
• October All Pendle Rise tenants have been sent two letters from Pendle Borough Council about the CPO during the week ending 18 October.
  • The first letter explains why the Council has submitted a CPO and the process of how you can be supported including compensation agreements.
  • The second letter is a statutory notice informing you that the CPO has been made, how to find out what it means and how you can object to it if you wish to and the next steps in the process.
  • Please contact Tony Brown at Property Services Pendle Borough Council anthony.brown@pendle.gov.uk or 07966 571294 if you would like to discuss details about your business and arrange a time to meet in person.
• Pendle Rise will remain open for business for now – and will fully close sometime in 2025
• From winter 2024 the process of businesses moving out into new locations will start.
• By September 2025 all traders who want to continue in Nelson will be relocated in their new units
• October 2025 demolition starts on Pendle Rise
• March 2026 deadline for completing the demolition of Pendle Rise Shopping Centre 
• Spring 2027 building of the new Pendle Rise Shopping Centre will be complete

A message from BPL Property

The new managers of Pendle Rise Shopping Centre

Safety has been our top priority since the Council bought the centre in June

During this time, we have commissioned thorough Health and Safety and Fire Safety Risk Assessments. Some changes have been made to the centre’s equipment based on these assessments. You might have noticed that some equipment has been removed. Don’t panic! All modifications have been carefully considered and approved by certified consultants to meet compliance and safety standards.

We have made great strides improving the condition of the centre, particularly in sorting out waste and pest control.

Some fire escapes are starting to fill up with tenants’ items.

It's vital that corridors in the common areas, basement and also within your individual units are kept clear at all times.  

Following very recent inspections from both Lancashire Fire Safety and Zurich Insurance everyone’s focus has to be on clearing fire escape routes from all areas including individual retail units and ensuring fire doors in each unit are fully operational. 

Steve from BPL and security staff will visit each unit over the coming days to discuss individual requirements.

Also, please ensure all your waste in the allocated refuse zones in the basement is placed in the appropriate skips provided. Please ensure nothing is left in any fire escape corridors.   

As the centre moves towards redevelopment, our focus is on complying with Health and Safety standards and prioritising essential maintenance only.  

We will not be able to allocate funds for non-essential repairs or improvements.

Public toilets

Unfortunately, the toilets are in such disrepair that it is not viable for the Council to invest in them and refurbish them. Pendle Borough Council is currently looking at potential options to resolve this issue as a matter of urgency.

Security and Cleaning

The new security and cleaning team has adapted well in challenging circumstances. We would like to thank you for your support during the transition and for welcoming our new security personnel. Their main job is to maintain the overall safety and operation of the shopping centre. 

They have other duties to perform as well as patrolling the mall areas so they won’t always be present on the mall. 

The security team will always try and help in deterring unreasonable behaviour and Incidents of shoplifting. But the responsibility to maintain the security of each individual shop rests with the occupier as would be the case in any other shopping centre scheme or if you occupied a high street store.

If you need help quickly, please contact our security team on 07827 329059.

We will continue to monitor this to make sure the centre is kept clean and tidy.

Lease agreements and compliance

We have inherited lease agreements from the former owners of the shopping centre. We have spoken to all occupiers to verify the lease terms and invoices have been issued based on these.

If you have any questions relating to rent arrears, please contact Sharon, in the BPL Accounts Department accounts@bplproperty.uk. 

We are aware that there may have been informal agreements between tenants and the former owners. Unfortunately, the Council cannot rely upon any informal agreements in relation to any rent concessions that deviate from the lease terms. Rents will be charged in accordance with the terms of the leases. 

All tenants of the shopping centre have been invited to individual meetings with representatives from the Council to explain the process of redeveloping the shopping centre.

These meetings have flagged up how the Council can support each business. These meetings will continue in more detail over the coming months.  

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Steve Pearson steve@bplproperty.uk mobile 07795 258690 or look out for Steve on site!

“Your feedback and collaboration are very important as we move through this process together.”

Steve Pearson
Head of Property Management

Publicity to support Pendle Rise retailers

A range of publicity including social media campaigns, digital totems outside Pendle Rise, large banners, signs and window vinyls are all out there with the message that Pendle Rise is open for business!

The publicity campaign will continue up to Christmas and beyond, including news stories issued by the Council. See www.pendle.gov.uk/newsroom or visit www.nelsontowndeal.co.uk

When your business moves out of Pendle Rise we will publicise your new position to help customers find you.

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