Accrington Market Hall Reopening and Manager Recruitment
As Ramadan concludes, warm Eid wishes are extended to all celebrants. Accrington Market Hall is set to reopen in November, prompting a search for a new Town Centre Venue Manager to revitalize this historic building. The selected candidate will also oversee the Town Hall upon its return to Council management in 2027. These iconic structures have long been central to Accrington, and this appointment aims to transform them into vibrant hubs for entertainment and retail, boosting foot traffic and supporting the local economy.
Community Safety and Cultural Initiatives
Applications are now open for a new Community Safety Officer on the council website, encouraging qualified individuals to apply. Additionally, Accrington's bid for UK Town of Culture 2028 is gaining momentum. The town boasts a rich, often overlooked cultural history, which the bid seeks to highlight. The winning town will receive £3 million for a year-long cultural programme in 2028, aiming to showcase Hyndburn's heritage to the nation.
Sports Funding and Development
With improving weather, children are enjoying outdoor activities, underscoring the importance of keeping youth active. The Council has awarded grants through its Cabinet Action Fund to support grassroots sports, including £6,048 for the Primetime Netball League and £1,500 for the Lancashire Bombers American Football Club. Furthermore, £250,000 from Pride in Place Impact funding has been allocated to enhance play areas, complemented by a recent Government announcement of £270,000 for play areas across 66 regions.
The Council will collaborate with the Parks Team to optimize this new funding. Additional investments include creating artificial cricket wickets, supporting Accrington Stanley Community Trust's sports initiatives, and improving green spaces. A new sport and club development officer role has been established to ensure young people in Hyndburn have access to diverse sports, with necessary resources to develop their skills. Hyndburn Leisure is recruiting for this position, funded by the Council, to remove barriers for aspiring athletes.
Housing Regulations and Event Season
In response to resident concerns about Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), the Council implemented a non-immediate Article 4 Direction in December 2024, covering nine wards and effective from March 15. This requires planning permission for new HMOs in these areas, a change from previous rules. After further research, the Council has extended these protections to all remaining wards, ensuring HMOs are located suitably and meet standards, balancing affordable housing needs with community well-being.
Spring heralds a vibrant event season in Hyndburn. Starting in the Easter holidays, Accrington Market will host an Easter Trail from March 28 to April 11, with free fairground rides on Accrington Town Square on April 4. Market traders remain open during the hall's refurbishment. Gatty Park will feature another Easter Trail by Community Solutions, and a new Accrington Live Free Music Event at the Tiger Lounge on Easter Sunday, funded by a Council culture and heritage grant. More events are planned throughout the year, promising an exciting season.
