Pendle Borough Council now owns Pendle Rise Shopping Centre
Published Thursday, 20th June 2024
Today, Thursday 20 June, Pendle Borough Council took ownership of Pendle Rise Shopping Centre in Nelson.
The Council bought the dated 1960s Centre as part of its plans to revitalise the town.
Rose Rouse, Chief Executive of Pendle Borough Council, said: “We’re delighted we now own Pendle Rise – it’s key to our redevelopment of Nelson Town Centre.
“This means we can radically improve the town with high quality architecture and landscape design.
“Along with a much stronger retail offer for Pendle people it will provide a great place for our community to meet.”
Transforming the town centre will see high profile and long-term vacant and under-used buildings brought back into use for commercial purposes.
This is something that local people are keen to see tackled and will create positive change in the town.
Phillip Spurr, Pendle Borough Council’s Director of Place, said: “The vision to re-develop Pendle Rise Shopping Centre site stems from extensive public consultation carried out as part of the Nelson Masterplan.
“Most people who gave their views wanted to see Pendle Rise tackled as a priority.”
The Council has appointed Beddows to run the Centre pending demolition and the Council will be helping its tenants to relocate to new premises in the town.
Phillip added: “We know that this may be a worrying time for tenants, but we will work closely with everyone to minimise uncertainty and disruption.”
Pendle Rise Shopping Centre was bought using Nelson Town Deal funding.
A joint venture was launched in 2022 with Penbrook, a partnership between Pendle Borough Council and Brookhouse, to oversee the development.
Planning consent was granted in 2023. Plans include developing a major new food store, nine modern retail units with attractive frontages, car parking and landscaping.