The shopping centre has served residents for over 60 years (Image: Google Maps)
A once-thriving shopping centre in Lancashire that has served residents for around 66 years is set to be demolished within days as part of a major regeneration project. Pendle Rise shopping centre in Nelson first opened in the 1960s as an Arndale Centre and was a key part of life in the town for decades.
The centre and connecting buildings, including a former indoor market, are now due to be demolished to make way for new retail units. The redevelopment forms part of the £25million government-backed Nelson Town Deal regeneration scheme. Plans for the site include a modern shopping centre, parking for 150 cars and landscaped outdoor areas.
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Pendle Rise is due to be demolished to make way for new retail units (Image: Google Maps)
Pendle Borough Council said electricity inside Pendle Rise will be completely disconnected by the end of next week. Asbestos removal work is also expected to finish by the end of March.
Once that work is complete, the building will be ready for demolition as part of the wider redevelopment of Nelson town centre.
Independent Group councillor Asjad Mahmood, deputy leader of Pendle Borough Council and a Nelson Town Deal board member, said the project would bring new opportunities to the area.
He said the changes would “attract investment, create jobs and provide our residents and visitors with a place to enjoy spending time in”.
Stephen Barnes, chairman of Nelson Town Deal, also said the redevelopment was moving closer to becoming reality.
Locals said the number of shops in the centre had gradually declined (Image: Google Maps)
He added: “We are getting closer to fulfilling our vision of providing the residents of Nelson and visitors to the town with a new and exciting shopping and leisure time experience.”
Pendle Rise had long been a central part of Nelson, with many residents visiting regularly during its busiest years.
However, locals previously said the number of shops had gradually declined.
Saima Farhan, from Nelson, said she had “happy memories” of the shopping centre.
“It used to be full of life,” she told the BBC. “I used to shop here and so did my mother-in-law. Elderly people used to sit on the benches and chat together, and children played.”
She said that in more recent years the centre had become quieter, adding: “Gradually there were fewer shops here and it became a bit boring.”
Despite this, she said she was “quite excited about the changes in Nelson” and was looking forward to seeing the town centre once the redevelopment is complete.
Other residents also remembered the centre in its earlier years. Mora Hitchcox, from Barrowford, said: “I remember Pendle Rise in its heyday. It used to be a lot better than in recent times.”
She added: “It’s a shame that Pendle Rise is being knocked down. I thought couldn’t they do it up and put new little shops inside?”
Once demolition is complete, the redevelopment will move forward as part of the wider Nelson Town Deal plans.
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