As part of plans to transform Accrington Town Square, a new community space has opened up inside Market Chambers building, and it’s hosting some memorable objects from the past.
Initially, the space will be open on Saturdays, 10am-2pm, with plans to expand the opening hours over the coming months depending on community feedback. Every two months, the space will transform, hosting different activities and small trial exhibitions from local artists and historians, for people to give their feedback on.
People are invited to come inside, view items such as the globe clock pieces – which were once inside the Arndale Centre – and learn more about the plans to transform the building into a new heritage museum. The small shop space is located on Accrington Town Square, opposite the Market Hall, in what used to be the ‘Admiral’ shop and everyone is welcome to visit.
Cllr Kimberley Whitehead, Portfolio holder for Culture and Heritage, said:
“The aim of the new community space is to experiment with what people want to see in the future, give opportunity for people to ask questions about the development, and have meaningful input into what this magnificent building becomes.
“Seeing parts of the globe clock on display in there brought back so many fond memories for me and has been a real talking point with everyone who has seen it, even if they weren’t aware of it before! I am looking forward to visiting this space over the next several months and seeing what mini exhibitions and activities are happening.”
In 2025, following community feedback over the next several months, initial design ideas for the Heritage Museum will be created and these will then be on display for formal consultation.
Local heritage experts and historians are also invited to get involved in the project, please get in touch via email to: heritage@hyndburnbc.gov.uk
For updates on opening times and activities people are encouraged to follow ‘Accrington Town Square’ on social media or visit www.accringtontownsquare.com
£463,056, made possible by National Lottery Players, has been confirmed to facilitate transforming the historic Market Chambers building into a cultural space for residents and visitors to enjoy.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund support will be used to conduct engagement work, taster events, conduct building surveys and commence architect work over the next 12 months – working directly with the local community to co-create a vision. After the development phase, proposed plans will be submitted to The National Lottery Heritage fund to unlock the remaining funding to take the project forward, which will total £4.5million if successful.
Read more about The National Lottery Heritage Fund project here: https://accringtontownsquare.com/2024/01/10/463k-heritage-funding-awarded-for-accringtons-historic-market-chamber/
