Pendle News Room

Pendle is one of eight finalists in this year’s local government MJ Awards in the Innovation in Partnerships category.

Pendle Borough Council’s Chief Executive, Rose Rouse, said:

“It’s fantastic that our successful joint venture partnership PEARL – Pendle Enterprise And Regeneration Ltd - with local developer, contractor and investor Barnfield Construction, is getting the national recognition it deserves.

“The MJ Awards recognise the very best in local government projects and acknowledge the tremendous effort councils like Pendle make in supporting their local communities,” she explained.

Rose Rouse and Managing Director of Barnfield Construction, Tim Webber, will present Pendle’s entry in London on 20 April and the winner will be announced at the MJ Awards event on 23 June in Westminster, London.

PEARL’s shortlisted award entry spotlights the ambitious £32 million project Northlight.

It demonstrates how the partnership has transformed an iconic Lancashire cotton mill in Brierfield to create new jobs and opportunities and a better quality of life for local people.

Northlight includes 80 modern apartments, Burnley FC in the community leisure facilities including an indoor climbing wall, soft play area, laser zone, football and cricket pitches.

The transformed mill is also HQ for Lancashire Adult Learning and In-Situ, Pendle’s community arts organisation, offering a wealth of learning and cultural opportunities.

Its business office units are fully let by Business First. Self storage is also available through Store First.

Next steps for Northlight include an attractive gateway to the site from Brierfield town centre and the canal, with food and drink opportunities coming on site.

Tim Webber, Managing Director of Barnfield and a PEARL board member said:

“As Pendle developers with our HQ within sight of Northlight, working to transform this historic landmark has been a labour of love for us and has taken a huge amount of time and resource to make it happen.

“Barnfield Construction has a highly experienced team working on this complex and challenging project.

“I’m proud to say that over 70% of firms we work with on this huge renovation are from Pendle, including plumbers, electricians, joiners, engineers, decorators and roofers,” he stated.

And Pendle’s award entry flags up the overall success of PEARL where over 16 years of the public private partnerships has led to the completion of £80m regeneration projects.