MAKEOVER plans for an historic town centre hub are in the pipeline.

Peel Square is one of several public spaces that will receive a makeover as part of Elevate’s Pennine Square international design competition.

Five different design teams have been appointed to come up with their own vision for the square, where the bus station currently stands.

A public consultation about the designs will be held in February.

In December planning consultant Paula Fitzgerald led a walkabout around the area, asking residents and business owners for their opinions about what they would like to see in Peel Square.

She told a meeting of Accrington Town Centre Regeneration Board: “Things have moved on since December. We have appointed several design teams, three from the North West, one from London and one from New York. I don’t have anything to show at this point but the closing date for designs was Friday 16 January.

“During the public consultation we will not be asking for one favourite design but how different concepts from different designs can channel together to form one plan.”

The bus station is scheduled to move to a site at Crawshaw Street and School Street, behind the old Kwik Save store.
Following the public consultation, a panel will be meeting on 5 March to discuss feedback received from residents and determine which proposal will go forward. It is hoped a final plan will be ready in April.

Illustrations from the design teams will be on display on the following dates at these locations:

  • Monday 2 February to Friday 27 February at Accrington Library.
  • Monday 2 February to Friday 8 February at Accrington Town Hall foyer.
  • Saturday 9 February to Sunday 22 February at stall 52 on Accrington Market. 
  • Monday 16 February to Wednesday 18 February at Accrington and Rossendale College’s Coppice Theatre. 
  • Monday 23 February to Friday 27 February at Scaitcliffe House, Accrington.