The start was marked by a groundbreaking event bringing together partners from Morgan Sindall and Hyndburn Borough Council (HBC), AEW Architects and Hive Projects to celebrate this key milestone.
HBC's regeneration plans include the transformation of the existing Market Hall into a vibrant food and drink destination, the conversion of Burton Chambers into a modern co-working space, and the Market Chambers repairing and refurbishment, enabling future transformation into a cultural and heritage venue.
To enable the transformation, the Accrington Market traders have now moved out of the building and into new homes. Many have taken up residence in 'Market on the Square' – a temporary cabin set up on Accrington Town Square - and have reported increased turnover since the move. An official community launch event for the Market on the Square will be held in March.
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Funding for this project was secured through a successful bid for £20m to the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) earlier this year, with additional matching contributions from Lancashire Borough Council and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
As part of its Intelligent Solutions approach to supporting its customers to decarbonise, Morgan Sindall will seek to retain and reuse original building materials wherever possible, whilst creating modern new facilities which reduce operational carbon through the lifecycle of the scheme.
The project is being accelerated through SCAPE Construction, a direct award framework designed to drive collaboration, efficiency, time and cost savings on construction projects.
Throughout delivery, Morgan Sindall will also maximise the usage of local supply chain partners and labour to deliver the works in line with its commitment to generating social value on its projects. The contractor has arranged a Getting Connected event on 8th March to engage local workers and SMEs to discuss upcoming opportunities on the project.
Simon Arnott, Managing Director for Morgan Sindall in the North, said: "Regeneration schemes such as Accrington Town Square are breathing new life into historic towns and neighbourhoods across the UK.
"As a contractor committed to sustainability and enhancing communities, we’re glad to get out on site, as well as continuing to develop our relationships with Hyndburn Town Council and its constituents to deliver high-quality facilities fit to serve its community for years to come."
