BUSINESS leaders from Accrington have announced that they have been successful in their bid for £150,000 funding to plan the town centre's redevelopment.

The money will be used by the cross section of private and public sector leaders who make up the Amazing Accrington board to fund studies into possible redevelopments.

The funding was awarded by Hyndburn Borough Council, which hopes that the board can transform Accrington into a nationally renowned success story.

Council leader Miles Parkinson OBE said: "This bid is for the good of the town, and Hyndburn Borough Council have shown great support for this cross party and cross sector initiative by providing the funds to prepare a bid.

"Neighbouring towns have been successful in their bids and I'm really looking forward to getting started on making a great leap for Accrington, which will benefit the whole borough."

This comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson's visit to Accrington on Thursday in which he confirmed that there was "cash available" to support town centres, and that he would welcome a bid from Accrington, which could make a "big material difference."

The funds were sanctioned to prepare a far reaching bid to transform Accrington town centre and move it forward for 2040.

Sara Britcliffe, MP for Hyndburn and Haslingden says that she needs a detailed proposal to take to the government, so that levelling up funding for Accrington can be awarded.

She said: "We definitely need a plan for the borough, and by working collaboratively with local businesses and stakeholders we can achieve this.

"I will continue to lobby for government support to achieve the vision we create."

A steering group will now be formed to tender the work and manage the bid, with key stakeholders representing retail, leisure and charity sectors, Hyndburn Borough Council, business leaders and the public.

Chair of Amazing Accrington chair and MD of Scott Dawson Advertising Murray Dawson said "This has been a challenging journey.

"We have had lots of support from Sir John Timpson with his visit to Accrington before Christmas, right the way through to open discussions with Government ministers and other towns who have been successful in their bids.

"This will help to change generations, just as our football club has stepped up in the custodianship of Andy Holt, the town centre now has a chance to form a plan for 2030 and 2040.

"It will be our grandchildren who will benefit from all our collaborative hard work."

To find out more about Amazing Accrington, go to: https://www.amazingaccrington.co.uk.