MULTI-million pound bids for government funding to support three East Lancashire town centres will be discussed by borough councillors this week.

Levelling-Up bids have been created to support proposed work on two market hall revamps, new cafe and restaurant spaces, night-time  leisure and visitor attractions, and other enhancements in Bacup and Rawtenstall.

Separately in Haslingden, a scheme of lottery-funded restoration work is earmarked for old buildings, shop fronts and the Big Lamp area of the town centre, along with trees, planting and other street enhancements.

Various ideas and updates will be discussed by Rossendale Borough Council tomorrow when councillors will look at separate projects.

The Levelling-Up Fund is a key Westminster government policy to promote economic growth and tackle regional  inequalities,  a Rossendale Council report states.

Rossendale’s bid has been developed through a Levelling-Up Board with the council’s Labour leader and Conservative opposition group leader,  plus local MPs, business representatives and ‘2040 vision’ boards looking at how borough towns might develop over the next 20 years.

Several consultants have been involved in developing the Rossendale bids, led by Genecon, which has had success in other Future High Street and Town Deal bids.

Councillors are being asked to note a £17.9m application to the Levelling-Up Fund to support the regeneration of Rawtenstall and Bacup market areas, public spaces in Bacup’s Union Street and a skills centre at Rawtensall’s revamped Old Town Hall.

For Bacup, a bid for nearly £7m in government Levelling-Up funding is proposed for the market plus just under £1m contributed from the borough and Lancashire County Council.

A full council report states: "A key part of the 2040 Vision is the development of a new purpose-built indoor market, events square and cycle hub. This will provide a destination point at the heart of the town. This follows extensive consultation with residents, businesses, stakeholders and approval by the Bacup 2040 Board.

“The vision outlines delivering a thriving town centre through sustainable development with business and community investment through the significant redevelopment of the site containing the current market.

"Footfall and occupancy rates will be boosted through events and the town centre will be a welcoming environment that people want to visit and spend their leisure time."

The designs for a new indoor market pledge to cater for ''quality traditional traders' and new food-and-drink offerings.  An events area, cycle hub and cafe are also proposed around 12 Market Street. Union Street pavements would be widened to create space for a café scene, with a one-way system, parking, bus stops and extra planting.

Meanwhile at Rawtenstall, a Levelling-Up bid for £3.7m would focus on Rawtenstall Market, public spaces, and town centre road, pavement and cycle improvements, and a skills and employment hub called The Bridge at Rawtenstall Old Town Hall.

All existing traders will be offered a stall in the reconfigured market, the report says. The bid for the old town hall is in partnership with Nelson & Colne College, Rossendale Works and Active Lancashire.

Councillors will be asked to authorise £1.8m of borough council funding to support 'Levelling Up' projects, if required, and accept Lancashire County Council’s input of £1.5m.

An update is also scheduled on a £2.3m five-year National Lottery Heritage Fund project covering Haslingden’s Lower and Higher Deardengate. Cash grants will be offered to repair and re-instate historical features focusing on shop-fronts.. Up to 55 properties along Higher and Lower Deardengate will benefit, council officials say.

A separate bid for government funds to improve Haslingden market is planned in the autumn through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.