THE historic building of Accrington's Scaitcliffe House is to see a major change at the end of the month.

SDL Trophies Group, one of the country's leading promotional and business gift suppliers, is moving out of the former canteen for Howard and Bullough after 20 years and Hyndburn Borough Council is getting set to move in.

The Group which includes Incentives-UK and CFS Sports and Trophies is on the move to the Network 65 business park in Hapton because of the expansion of the company.

And the new 22,000 sq metre Britannia Centre will soon consolidate a new CFS sports and trophies showroom offering a wide choice of promotional and business gifts, sportswear and trophies for trade and sporting organisations under one roof.

SDL Trophies Group was founded by Geoff Lord, now managing director and owner, at a site on Blackburn Road, Accrington, then moved to Baxenden before settling at the present premises where it has been for 20 years.

The group employs 32 people in Accrington who will all move with the company into the Burnley area and is looking to employ another four people straight away and more in the future.

Mr Lord's son Charles Lord, general manager, said: "We will be in the new premises by December 1. The reason for the move is the growth of the business. Basically, we have outgrown our present premises." He did not wish to reveal the cost of the move but said the acquisition was two and a half times the value of the sale of the Accrington premises. The company's Trophy Centre in Whalley Road, Accrington, will remain open for the foreseeable future.

Company bosses began discussions with Hyndburn Borough Council at the beginning of the year about the sale of Scaitcliffe House and the deal was signed in September.

The council's move was prompted by the sell-on of its existing Eagle Street premises, currently owned by Lancashire Enterprises, to a development firm who could not guarantee their future -- or the level of rent -- on the site for any length of time.

More than £1million is now being spent on Scaitcliffe House to make it suitable for council use, with an extension for committee rooms and a reception.

Peter Clarke, cabinet member with responsibility for regeneration, said: "We were very pleased to learn that SDL Trophies were expanding into modern premises in the Burnley area and wish them well."