HYNDBURN council tenants are being given a unique insight into how their homes could look in the future, thanks to the opening of a housing transfer "Info-Shop".
The shop on Broadway, Accrington, was opened by Accrington Stanley goalkeeper Jon Kennedy and Sarah McCann, chairman of Hynburn's Tenants' Participation Committee (TPC).
Tenants would have a choice of finishes under the multi-million-pound improvement programme, which would go ahead if they were to vote "yes" to the transfer of their homes to not-for-profit housing organisation Hyndburn Homes.
This would own and manage homes and the housing service, and would be run by local tenants, councillors and independent people with expertise in areas like social housing and finance.
It would form part of the Contour Housing Group, which has been working with the council to set up the organisation in principle and to agree a programme of improvements and repairs with tenants.
Transfer is being proposed as the council cannot afford to improve tenants' homes to meet new Government standards.
The new landlord organisation would spend £35M in its first five years on work in tenants' homes including new kitchens, bathrooms, double glazing and central heating.
Ken Bury, head of housing at Hyndburn Council, said: "The Info-Shop gives tenants the chance to find out exactly how their homes will be improved if transfer goes ahead."
The shop is open daily from 10am to 4pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm.
It is closed on Wednesdays and Sundays.
