Burnley gets £4.8m heritage boost for town centre regeneration

Burnley has secured £4.8m from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for High 5 4 Heritage, a major new programme that will help restore some of the town centre’s most important historic buildings and spaces. 

Focused on Burnley’s Civic Quarter, the scheme covers key parts of Hargreaves Street, Hammerton Street, and lower St James’s Street. 

It forms a central strand of the town’s wider area‑based regeneration approach, designed to link with other investment and create more cohesive, transformational change. 

The funding is a major step forward for Burnley’s heritage led regeneration plans and will support a five-year programme of investment. 

Plans include repair and restoration work to Burnley Mechanics, environmental enhancements and grant support for repairs to privately owned historic buildings. 

The scheme also includes a community programme designed to engage more people with Burnley’s history through cultural events and, creative activities by working with local partners including Mid Pennine Arts, Burnley 
Cultural Consortium and Lancashire Archives.  

Councillor Afrasiab Anwar, Burnley Council leader, said: “Securing £4.8m from The National Lottery Heritage Fund is a hugely significant moment for Burnley.

"This investment recognises the strength of our ambition for the town and our commitment to protecting the buildings and community spaces.

"High 5 4 Heritage will not only help restore some of our most valued historic assets, it will also support wider regeneration, boost confidence in the town centre and create new opportunities for residents, businesses and visitors.” 

Helen Featherstone, director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting this exciting scheme in Burnley that will restore and repair several historic buildings within the town’s Civic Quarter.

"It is fantastic to think that this investment, made possible thanks to National Lottery players, will play a significant role in contributing towards the regeneration and wider townscape of Burnley as well as providing communities with opportunities to discover more about their local heritage.” 

Councillor Lubna Khan, Burnley Council executive member for economy and development said: “We know how much pride people take in Burnley’s history and heritage, and this investment will help us protect some of our most important buildings while bringing new life into the town centre. 

"This is about more than restoration, it’s about place‑making.

"By linking this programme with other regeneration work across Burnley, including heritage-led investment in lower St James’s Street and wider town centre improvements, we can create something genuinely transformational for residents, businesses and visitors.”

The High 5 4 Heritage programme is expected to commence in May-2026. Further details will be announced once the formal launch arrangements have been finalised with The National Lottery Heritage Fund.