COLNE shopping precinct is set for a makeover after being taken over by the borough council’s regeneration partnership.

PEARL, the partnership between Barnfield Investment Properties and Pendle Council, will revive the 1970s shopping parade in Market Street.

They have secured a deal to buy the precinct, which incorporates 14 units, after the previous owners went into administration.

Out of those units, only three are vacant, with active interest in two of them at present.

Tim Mulholland, head of property at Barnfield Construction, said: “Architects are currently working on a new façade scheme which will help modernise and improve the shopping experience in Colne.

“We have continually invested into Pendle both through our joint venture with Pendle Council and through our own speculative developments over the last three decades.

“Colne is very close to our heart and we are looking forward to making it a better place to shop which in turn will hopefully encourage an increase in the local economy with new shoppers venturing into the town.”

Barnfield Construction hopes to be on site to carry out the works before the end of the year. Coun Joe Cooney, leader of Pendle Council and director of PEARL, said: “We’re thrilled to have taken on this shopping parade at the top end of Colne town centre.

“We’re going to modernise it by giving it an attractive new frontage to encourage even more shoppers to the area.

“Many of the shops are already occupied so we’re hoping this will give the existing businesses a boost and encourage others to take up the few empty ones.”