A PROJECT to transform Accrington’s historic Market Chambers has been given £463,056 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to develop final plans for the scheme.

The £5millon redevelopment of the building (opposite the town's Market Hall) aims to turn it into a heritage and cultural space, for residents and visitors to enjoy.

More than £60million of funding has so far been secured for Accrington’s transformation since January 2022, through government Levelling Up and UK Shared Prosperity Funding, with the historic buildings on the Town Square the centre of the plans.

The vision for Market Chambers is to establish a thriving community building to share the story of Hyndburn and its far-reaching impact across the globe - through an immersive, multisensory, and flexible space that highlights local heritage stories for people to enjoy and be inspired by.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund support will be used to conduct engagement work, taster events and consultation over the next 12 to 15 months to shape and co-create a vision for the renovated heritage and cultural hub on Accrington Town Square.

After the development phase is complete, the proposed plans will be submitted to The National Lottery Heritage Fund to unlock the remaining funding which will total £4.5million investment if successful.

The proposal, submitted by Hyndburn Council, also outlined ideas for a performance space, activity/events space and a welcome area within the adjacent Burtons Chambers building.

Julie Hesmondhalgh, Accrington-born actor and writer, said: “This is fantastic news for Hyndburn’s arts, culture and heritage landscape and everyone who has been involved in making it happen deserves a big thank you.

"It is so important that people get involved at every stage over the coming months and have their voices heard.

"I am pleased to say I will be part of that ongoing journey too as an ambassador.

“My experiences and time growing up in Accrington have shaped who I am and I’m so excited that a space to celebrate everything there is to be proud of is being created with huge amounts of community input along the way. There is a lot of work to do and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in!”

Richard Hooper, vice-chair of Hyndburn’s Culture, Heritage and Investment Panel (CHIP), said: “Hyndburn and its people have had a global impact over the past two centuries, this funding is a chance for those stories and inventions to be told in an inspirational and innovative way - not only to the people that live here already, but to people throughout the country and beyond."

Helen Featherstone - The National Lottery Heritage Fund's director England north - said: “We’re thrilled to support Hyndburn Borough Council with this initial grant to work towards repurposing the amazing Market Chambers building into a space where heritage and culture can thrive."

Cllr Mohammed Younis, Hyndburn Council's levelling up boss, said: “The total investment secured since our Accrington Town Centre Plan was agreed now totals over £60million, funding which will kick-start the local economy across Hyndburn.

“I would like to encourage everyone to get involved in this exciting project."