Regeneration of Nelson’s Trafalgar House moves forward

Planning permission was granted in spring to retain and restore the building’s historic front while demolishing the deteriorating section at the back.

On Thursday 27 August, councillors agreed to appoint Fox Brothers (Leyland) to carry out the partial demolition and Radcliffe Construction to complete the renovation.

Built in the 1890s, Trafalgar House is being redeveloped through the £25m Nelson Town Deal, supporting the Council’s ambition to breathe new life into the town centre.

The scheme forms part of the wider Revitalise Nelson project, which will see the outdated Pendle Rise Shopping Centre replaced with a modern retail development.

The rear of Trafalgar House will be transformed into a car park, while the building’s attractive frontage will be retained, renovated and prepared for future use.

This work will be overseen by Penbrook, a joint venture arrangement between the Council and Brookhouse, an expert in redevelopments.

Councillor Asjad Mahmood, Leader of Pendle Borough Council, said: “Trafalgar House is a landmark building with an important place in Nelson's history.

“However, its poor condition means specialist skills are needed to carefully manage the demolition works and ensure valuable heritage materials can be salvaged and reused wherever possible.

"I'm delighted that work can now begin on this important phase of Nelson's regeneration.

“Preserving the building's most significant historic features while bringing the site back into productive use represents a major investment in the future of our town centre."

Stephen Barnes, Chair of Nelson Town Deal Board, added: “The Revitalise Nelson project is focused on bringing prominent vacant and underused buildings back into use and creating new opportunities in the town.

"Trafalgar House is one of Nelson's most recognisable buildings, and local people have been keen to see progress on this site.”