THE stunning transformation of one of Bacup’s most iconic building was heralded as a huge success story as it was officially opened.
The Grade II Listed Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank on the corner of Market Street and Union Street, has always stood out in the town centre with its gothic tower, church-style window and quirky gargoyles.
Lead member for Resources and Irwell Councillor Andrew Walmsley explained to the large crowd attending the opening how the building was once an Indian Restaurant, but fell into disrepair with a series of landlords, some absentee, little or poor renovation and finally squatters and drug misuse led to a multi-agency closure.
He added: “Yet still throughout that it still had, from the exterior at least, the image of the fairy-tale turreted castle as you came into town.
“It probably just needed a little bit of work – what an understatement that turned out to be – above all it really just needed to be loved again.”
In early 2019, the heritage development trust set about devising a strategy to attract the funding to repurpose the former bank and put the heart back into the building.
However, four months after it was purchased the country was in lockdown, so work took longer than anticipated and construction costs increased.
Chair of Valley Heritage Stephen Anderson said: “We couldn’t be prouder of what we have managed to accomplish, despite all of those challenges.
“Our volunteers and our partners have risen to every occasion and I am completely confident that despite the headwinds that are against us now, we will rise to the next set of challenges.”
He praised the scores of volunteers, artists and funders for all the work that they had put into the project.
Mayor of Rossendale Councillor Anne Cheetham said: “It is lovely to see this building brought back to life, that is what we should be doing, more bringing back to life and less destruction. I would rather have buildings like this saved that have new builds.”
The Alliance Bacup, as the building is now known, boasts a ground floor coworking space with desks to rent and spacious meeting rooms with stunning artwork while the first and second floors provide well equipped flats, two for private rental and two for use by homeless charity the M3 Project, based in Rawtenstall.
Charity Manager Jayne Turner said: “The flats are absolutely superb and they will make a really lovely first home for a young person moving on from homelessness into an affordable first home. I think it is incredible how all the people of Valley Heritage along with the community of Bacup have pulled together to make this such a superb place.”
Artist Amy Callaghan worked with Bacup Natural History Society and Bacup Family Centre to learn more about the people who made Bacup and captured their spirit in a mural as people enter the building.
She said: “There are lots of little gems to make a warm welcome as people come into the building.”
The mural features the Nuns who used to be on Pennine Road, a First World War soldier, 1970s Brownie and many more images.
The renovation of the Alliance Bacup cost £600,000 with a total project cost of £850,000. It has been funded by Architectural Heritage Fund, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Rossendale Council’s Bacup High Street Heritage Action Zone and Historic England and smaller community funds.
One of the trustees of Architectural Heritage Fund Ade Alao first visited the building when it was purchased in 2019.
He said: “As trustees, we often just see paperwork; this has been great to see the building right through to completion. I know just how much work has gone into it. I came back last year when some work had been carried out and you could see they were getting to grips with it, but it is fabulous come back and what has been done.”
Heating for the flats and coworking spaces is provided by air source heat pumps thanks to a grant from Lancashire County Council.
Cabinet Member for Economic Development County Councillor Aidy Riggott said: “When I came her a number of months ago, it was a building site, but you could see Valley Heritage had a vision.
“I did a double-take when I drove past it today; it is amazing how they have turned it into a huge benefit for the community. I hope it is the start of the regeneration of this part of Bacup.”
Valley Heritage is now looking at further projects across Rossendale.
Caption
Celebrating the opening of the Alliance Bacup, from left County Councillor Shaun Thomas, Mayor of Rossendale Councillor Anne Cheetham, County Councillor Aidy Riggott, behind from left chair of Valley Heritage Stephen Anderson and Architectural Heritage Fund trustee Ade Alao.