AN £8million redevelopment scheme for Clitheroe Market featuring a 60-room hotel, restaurant, café, seven shops, 67-space car park and revamped market with a hall, 50 units, 28 cabins and 22 stalls has been officially launched.
Ribble Valley Borough Council’s policy and finance committee agreed its intention to award the contract to redevelop the 1.4 acre site to Nelson contractor, investor and developer Barnfield Construction on November 30.
And following a 10-day legal standstill Ribble Valley Borough Council leader Stuart Hirst and Barnfield Construction chief executive Tim Webber MBE today (Tuesday, December 15) shook hands on the deal.
Barnfield Construction, whose extensive portfolio includes The Globe Centre, Accrington; The Ace Centre, Nelson; Boundary Mill, Colne; Stanley House, Mellor, and Blackfriars, Manchester, was chosen from a shortlist of developers following a rigorous selection process.
Their ambitious two-year scheme will see a new lease of life brought to the market and the potential for attracting top new retailers.
Stuart Hirst said: “The Clitheroe Market scheme generated strong interest from first-rate developers across the country and we received some stunning proposals for the site. “This is a fantastic opportunity to bring modern retail and leisure facilities to Clitheroe town centre and we are delighted to welcome Barnfield Construction, which has a strong track record in schemes of this nature, as our development partner. “This project constitutes a significant investment in Clitheroe town centre and we fully expect it to stimulate further investment and growth over the coming years.”
Tim Webber, managing director and chairman of Barnfield Construction said: “I am very excited about the scheme and looking forward to working with Ribble Valley Borough Council on this project. “Given the redevelopment site is in the heart of the town, we will carry out the scheme sympathetically in order to respect the surrounding buildings and will do this as the scheme develops.”
Dan Symonds, Barnfield Construction’s head of development and acquisitions, added: “The proposed scheme promises to provide a new retail and leisure experience for Clitheroe, not only with the creation of a new market, but we also hope to secure a number of high-quality retail and leisure operators not currently represented in the town.”
Detailed plans for the scheme will be unveiled in the New Year and, subject to planning approval,
Phase 1 involving the construction of the new market is scheduled to be completed by February 2017, with Phase 2 involving the remainder of the site by April 2018.
The scheme will be the subject of a rolling exhibition at the Council Offices in Church Walk, Clitheroe, from early 2016 until completion.
